Alpar, Gitta (1903—)

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Alpar, Gitta (1903—)

Hungarian soprano. Born in Budapest, Hungary, on March 5, 1903; married twice, the second time to Gustav Frölich (a German actor who would later marry Lida Baarova ).

Gitta Alpar was among a generation of Central European musicians forced to flee Europe because of the Nazi menace. Alpar studied with Laura Hilgermann before launching her singing career in Budapest in 1923. She sang in Munich, Berlin, and Vienna. Though she sang Gilda, Rosina, and the Queen of the Night, her greatest success was in operetta. She was particularly remembered for her appearances in Millöcker's Der Bettelstudent at the Meropolteater in Berlin and for premiering in Lehár's Schön ist die Welt in 1930. A year later, she sang the title role in Millöcker's Gräfin Dubarry. By 1936, Gitta Alpar left Europe for America as Nazi crusades against Jews and leftists increased. In America, she reestablished her operetta career and also appeared in several movies.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia