Elsa Alsen (7 April 1880 – 31 January 1975) was an American dramatic soprano and concert singer, born in Prussia, best known for her Wagnerian roles.
Elsa Alsen | |
|---|---|
 Elsa Alsen, from a 1928 publication | |
| Born | 7 April 1880 |
| Died | 31 January 1975 (age 94) New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Elsa Henneberger |
| Occupation(s) | Opera singer, concert singer, voice teacher |
Early life edit
Alsen was born in Obra, Prussia, the daughter of a French mother and Norwegian father.[1][2]
Career edit
Alsen made her operatic debut in 1902, in Heidelberg.[1] She sang as a contralto early in her career,[3][4] then as a dramatic soprano, often in Wagnerian roles, especially Brünnhilde and Isolde.[5][6] She appeared with various German opera companies for twenty years before her American debut in 1923, while touring with the Wagnerian Opera Company.[7] She sang with the Chicago Civic Opera Company from 1925 to 1928.[1]
Alsen gave a concert at New York's Aeolian Hall with Georg Liebling in 1925.[8] She was "acclaimed with deafening applause" at a 1928 appearance in Detroit,[9] sang with the Washington National Opera in February 1928,[10] and sang arias at the Milwaukee Sängerfest later that year.[11] In 1929 she sang at a large Memorial Day event in Los Angeles.[12] She was a "favorite" at the Hollywood Bowl by 1930,[3] and in the 1930s she sang at four concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra,[13] and was a concert soloist with Paul Althouse at several events, including a Sängerfest in St. Paul in 1932,[14] and with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 1934.[15]
Alsen made several recordings in the 1920s, all on the Columbia label.[16] She appeared in an early sound-era film, The Rogue Song (1930). She was featured on radio programs in the 1930s.[17] She was appointed director of the Cecilia Music School of the Madonna House Settlement in 1937.[18] She taught voice students in New York City, into her eighties.[1]
Personal life edit
Alsen married Richard Henneberger in 1913. She became a naturalized United States citizen in the 1930s. She died in 1975, at the age of 94, at a nursing home in New York City.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Elsa Alsen Dead; Opera Singer, 94; Soprano Taught Voice Here After Leaving Stage". The New York Times. February 2, 1975. p. 49. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Great Wagnerian Soprano Here Monday, November 8". The News-Virginian. 1937-10-30. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-05-02 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Elsa Alsen, Favorite of Bowl Audiences, Returns Tomorrow for a Concert". Redlands Daily Facts. 1930-07-17. p. 4. Retrieved 2024-05-02 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Guest Artist". Indianapolis News. 1934-02-17. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-05-02 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Alsen Triumphs Again as Isolde". The Musical Leader. 54 (12): 27. March 22, 1928.
- ^ "Concert Artist Coming to City". Arizona Daily Star. 1928-12-16. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-05-02 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wagnerian Singers Arrive; Opera Company to Open Its Tour in Washington Monday". The New York Times. October 13, 1923. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "George Liebling Assists Elsa Alsen in his Songs". Musical Digest. 9: 7. December 1, 1925.
- ^ "Elsa Alsen Acclaimed in Detroit". The Musical Leader. 54 (2): 2. January 26, 1928.
- ^ "Alsen With Washington Opera Company". The Musical Leader. 54 (16): 53. April 19, 1928.
- ^ "Saengerfest Draws Many Visitors to Milwaukee". The Musical Leader. 54 (25): 23. June 21, 1928.
- ^ "Elsa Alsen to Sing at Home; Sawtelle Veterans Preparing Memorial Exercises". Los Angeles Times. 1929-05-29. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-05-02 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Performance History Search: Elsa Alsen". Boston Symphony Orchestra Archives. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "Northwest Saengerfest Includes Five Concerts; Paul Althouse, Elsa Alsen to Appear as Soloists". Star Tribune. 1932-06-19. p. 30. Retrieved 2024-05-02 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Baltimore Symphony at the Lyric; Paul Althouse and Elsa Alsen to Sing with Orchestra". The Baltimore Sun. 1934-03-18. p. 36. Retrieved 2024-05-02 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Elsa Alsen". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "Noted Artists Will Be Heard; Columbia Chain to Feature Mme. Elsa Alsen, Sascha Jacobsen". Windsor Star. 1927-12-03. p. 27. Retrieved 2024-05-02 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Elsa Alsen Named Director of Music School; Dramatic Soprano Is Appointed to the Cecilia Institution of Madonna House". The New York Times. August 1, 1937. p. 39. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
External links edit
- Elsa Alsen at IMDb
- "Caro mio ben" and "Lascia ch'io pianga", 1926 recordings of Alsen singing, via Internet Archive
- "Musicians at the Hollywood Bowl campaign committees breakfast, Los Angeles, 1930", photo including Elsa Alsen, from the UCLA Library Special Collections
