Madame Ernestine Schumann Heink sings Gluck's beautiful 'Que faro senza Euridice," (In German) 1907

[pprcrafter]

My Grandmother was born in 1909 and died this Christmas Day at age 102. Her mother and father, both German, named her Ernestine for Ernestine Schumann-Heink. Grandma's folks loved music, and were active in chorale groups, including the Sons of Hermann. Thank you for this wonderful connection to my Grandmother Ernestine!

[EdmundStAustell]

@pprcrafter My pleasure. I'm glad that it has memories of this kind for you. Condolences for your Grandmother. That is certainly a find age to attain! I wish you the best for the New Year.

[OLIVCHEN77]

Shes really great. And her voice is really one of the "biggest" recorded.

I"ve read that-in Hamburg- she once try to kill herself & her children-is this true?

I like her Orsini- and her "yodeling"...

Its a miracle that she sang orsini, fides and klytemnestra and Erda...

[EdmundStAustell]

Yes, she was in despair as a young woman. She had several children, her husband had abandoned her, and she had no money or job. She took them to a railway station, with the intention of throwing them under a train, but one of the children sensed all was not well and cried out to her, and she came to her senses, thank God. I did a piece on Schumann-Heink on my blog, if you would care to read it: GREATOPERASINGERSdotBLOGSPOTdo­tCOM May, 2010, (Just substitute dots for the word "dot."

[OLIVCHEN77]

@EdmundStAustell YOUR BLOG IS GREAT-thank God I've a flu-so I can read it (the weather ist so beautiful ntoday,but I cant go out) Best wishes from Konstanz

[EdmundStAustell]

@OLIVCHEN77 Vielen Dank für Ihre freundlichen Worte. Ich hoffe, Sie fühlen sich bald besser.

[helgeevju]

The comparison with Flagstad makes sense in a way, because some of the great dramatic sopranos did have a strong element of the contralto in them. But can one think of Flagstad tossing off coloraturas like another Marilyn Horne? Well, Schumann-Heink could do that too!

[EdmundStAustell]

@helgeevju Very true. Good comment! You might be interested in reading my blog for today, where I discuss the many vocal classifications in opera. Just substitute real dots for the word "dot."

GREATOPERASINGERSdotBLOGSPOTdo­tCOM

[helgeevju]

I simply love this great singer with no sideways whatsoever!

[EdmundStAustell]

@helgeevju Ha, ha. Yes, the circular singer:-) She was positively wonderful in this great aria. Thanks for comment.

[CanadaPisces]

A lovely recording of one of my favourite singers!

[VivaRenata]

Schumann Heink was known to me as one of the great names in opera history. I had no idea there were so many recordings of her voice preserved. This one is from 1907, but I have never heard another singer so reminiscent of Flagstad, who also recorded this aria in the late 40's, though she was no contralto! I think the line between contralto and dramatic soprano is a very fine one, but it seems as if there must have been a shift in vocal technique after that time - and not for the better.

[myyellowlabfan]

She was my German grandmother's favorite singer - my gran always referred to her as "Madame" Schumann Heink, so I thought that "Madame" was her first name! I loved to hear my gran play her records and also Caruso, her favorite tenor. Thank you, Edmund, for this posting.

[EdmundStAustell]

Thank you very much for your comment. Yes, she was wonderful, and a very lovable person, as people who have had a hard time in life often are. A real winner!

[younglemeshevist]

Very beautiful and expressive performance! She is one of the best singers ever, to my taste. Thanks for the video.

[EdmundStAustell]

Thank you very much!

[operbathosa]

Simply beautiful. A great recording. Thank you Edmund for posting.

[EdmundStAustell]

My pleasure entirely. I never cease to be amazed by the deep well of affection that still remains, after all these years, for this wonderful woman and her art.

[sospello]

Terrific control of her voice--and a sense of humor. I love her yodeling song.

[EdmundStAustell]

:).........yes, I once looked at that myself. She did have a sense of humor. Francis Robinson tells the story about how, late in life, she was at a rehearsal, walking among the orchestra, and knocking over music stands and baniging into instruments. The conductor suggested she walk sideways, and she replied, 'Sir, I have no sideways"!

[sospello]

@EdmundStAustell Wonderful retort.

[Bivolari]

She proves that all one needs is voice, voice, excellent training and a full heart.

[EdmundStAustell]

So right, so true.......................

[EdmundStAustell]

My pleasure, and I absolutely agree. I'll be featuring her on my blog on this week's edition. I've always loved her.

[dantitustimshu]

Simply divine! Anything from this great artist is a treasure. Many thanks for sharing this with us.