Emmy Destinn sings "It is Almost Midnight" (in German) from Tchaikovsky's Pique Dame. 1915

Emmy Destinn (1878-1930) was born in Prague. Her debut was in Berlin in 1898, at the tender age of 19, as Santuzza. Her strong and powerful voice attracted immediate attention, and in 1906 Richard Strauss chose her to create the title role in Salome. In addition to being a gifted singer, she was renowned as a passionate and convincing tragedian. International acclaim followed, and she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Aida in 1908. She went on to sing over 300 performances at the Met, in operas as wide-ranging as Cavalleria Rusticana, Madama Butterfly, La Wally I Pagliacci, Die Meistersinger, The Bartered Bride, Falstaff, La Gioconda Tosca, Lohengrin, Ballo in Maschera, and Il Trovatore. She retired in 1927 and died in Czechoslovakia in 1930.

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Music

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[Bivolari]

Hopefully a souvenir of her production of Pique Dame with Mahler at the Met. German was the language of choice. In 1915 America was decidedly neutral so there was as yet no stigma to the German language. I think, like Leonie Rysanek, her voice played havoc with the recording equipment.

[EdmundStAustell]

Interesting comments! Thank you.  Edmund

[MrGer2295]

TRULY AMAZING!!! Thank you my friend for sharing this Wonderful video.

[AulicExclusiva]

My dear friend, I echo every word you wrote here. This is a moving performance: my only quibble is that she should be singing in German—and in 1915! And yes, this is such a great opera. Pure theatre, wonderfully atmospheric music, a haunting story. Thanks, Monsieur de St Austell.

[MrCafiero]

She was THE BEST! She had guts!

[CurzonRoad]

.... love the last two images!

[CurzonRoad]

Yes, what a reputation she had (!), and as Nate points out, perhaps many of her recordings leave us wondering why, but a great artist who deserves to be heard more often. Many thanks to Edmund for this fine posting, and to Nate for sharing. Doug --

[meltzerboy]

A beautiful aria, beautifully sung by the great Emmy Destinn. Not all of her recordings support her fabulous reputation, but some of them--including this one--reveal a voice of beauty with a marvelous dramatic sense and ability to phrase. Destinn is the forerunner of the great Zinka Milanov. The opera Pique Dame is a favorite of mine and, with the right singers, can be a thrilling experience in the opera house. Thanks, Edmund!