Opera Singer. A dramatic soprano based primarily in Paris, she sang a variety of spinto roles, and was probably best known for her Wagnerian interpretations. Born Francoise Jeanne Schutz, she sutdied in Paris with Pauline Garcia-Viardot and others. As an emergency fill-in, she made her 1883 Theatre-Italien bow as Amelia in Giuseppe Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra", her 'offical' debut soon following as Elvira in the same composer's "Ernani". For the next 30 years she was to be heard in the principal venues of France, Russia, Italy, England, and the United States. After appearing in New York with the Mapleson Company in 1885 and 1886, she had her Metropolitan Opera debut on November 25, 1896, as Valentine in Giacomo Meyrbeer's "Les Huguenots". Making the most of her only season there, she was seen as the title heroine of Verdi's "Aida", Donna Anna from Mozart's "Don Giovanni", Brunhilde from Wagner's "Ring", the title lead of "Tristan und Isolde", and in several other roles. Litvinne sang Aida at Monte Carlo in 1915 opposite Enrico Caruso, and gave her farewell operatic performances at Vichy in 1919. Continuing as a rectialist thru 1924, she became a noted voice teacher in her later years. She published two books, a collection of vocal exercises in 1924, and an autobiography in 1933. Her recorded legacy, though fairly small, has been preserved.
Opera Singer. A dramatic soprano based primarily in Paris, she sang a variety of spinto roles, and was probably best known for her Wagnerian interpretations. Born Francoise Jeanne Schutz, she sutdied in Paris with Pauline Garcia-Viardot and others. As an emergency fill-in, she made her 1883 Theatre-Italien bow as Amelia in Giuseppe Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra", her 'offical' debut soon following as Elvira in the same composer's "Ernani". For the next 30 years she was to be heard in the principal venues of France, Russia, Italy, England, and the United States. After appearing in New York with the Mapleson Company in 1885 and 1886, she had her Metropolitan Opera debut on November 25, 1896, as Valentine in Giacomo Meyrbeer's "Les Huguenots". Making the most of her only season there, she was seen as the title heroine of Verdi's "Aida", Donna Anna from Mozart's "Don Giovanni", Brunhilde from Wagner's "Ring", the title lead of "Tristan und Isolde", and in several other roles. Litvinne sang Aida at Monte Carlo in 1915 opposite Enrico Caruso, and gave her farewell operatic performances at Vichy in 1919. Continuing as a rectialist thru 1924, she became a noted voice teacher in her later years. She published two books, a collection of vocal exercises in 1924, and an autobiography in 1933. Her recorded legacy, though fairly small, has been preserved.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
Advertisement
