coloratura Marta Eggerth at age 90 - Kalman gmmix

Hungarian-born American singer-actress Marta Eggerth has maintained her performing career for over 70 years.

Here we hear her sing "Que J'aime Paris." It almost defies belief, hearing her at 90, that she is, indeed, 90 years of age. Unlike most sopranos advanced in years, her upper register remains intact. Obviously, she's not afraid of the "high notes."

She starred in over 40 films and recently performed a New York concert in 2007, aged 95.

Born as Márta Eggerth on April 17, 1912 in Budapest, she began singing at age 11. Very popular in Europe, she and her husband (who both had Jewish mothers) were forced to flee Europe and settled in the United States.

She appeared in MGM films but never achieved the fame she enjoyed in Europe. After her contract was not renewed, she and her husband, Polish actor-singer Jan Kiepura, moved to New York, where they reared two sons. She enjoyed a lengthy run opposite her now-deceased husband in The Merry Widow on Broadway.

Eggerth is a whirlwind advocate for operetta, a lighter and more playful form of opera. "In opera, everybody dies. In operetta, everybody is flirtatious", says Eggerth of the art form that peaked in the 1940s but which has always been her signature calling card.

A marvelous 2-CD set of Marta Eggerth's recordings, covering the period from 1932 to 2002, can be obtained from Patria Productions, Inc., P.O. Box 344, Littleton, NH 03561

This set was compiled by MARjan Kiepura, an impressivly talented pianist, who sometimes accompanies his mother.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• gmmix
• Marta
• Eggerth
• operetta
• opera
• Jan
• Kiepura
• Kalman

[gert0174]

Are you sure about the age. A voice like that at ninety??

[gmmix]

@gert0174 Yes. Doug Fox on WMNR, fine arts radio in Monroe, Conn., interviewed her son (a pianist and composer) several years ago and commented that his mother continues to make a few appearances each year. Her birth date is well documented. YouTube has a memorable video of Olivero singing in a cathedral when well into her 90's... with great effect.

[gmmix]

On Saturday, April 26, Eggerth will receive the Medal of Recognition from the Kosciuszko Foundation (contact Tom Pniewski at 212-734-2130, ext 214).

[juph2006]

Marta Eggerth To Perform on April 17, Her 96th Birthday

To Celebrate, We are Putting The Charm of La Bohème on Sale for Through May 2

Born April 17, 1912 in Budapest, Marta Eggerth will celebrate her 96th birthday by appearing in a cabaret show at the Café Sabarsky, Thursday, April 17, with David Maiullo, pianist. The cafe is at 86th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. For information and tickets phone 212-628-6200, extension 485.

[gmmix]

Thanks for this update. You beat me to the posting! I, too, received it by email on this date: Apr. 17, 2008. If only I lived

closer to NYC......

[kidd32888]

It is hard enough to live that long but still can sing at 90 is amazing!

[SENAFOREVER]

So classy and legato. The tone production is always so perfect and steady. And she's so noble.

[ProteaJan]

Does anyone have recordings of Martha and her husband, tenor Jan Kiepura?

[MotherIlona]

wow! She certainly is an amazing woman! She sings better at her age now than I did at 35! I think she's GREAT! Thank you for posting her singing and acting! Liz

[baritonebynight]

This goes to show....singers can sing well into old age with a good firm solid technique!

[HM0880]

Beautiful, light, expressive, and phenomenally youthful-sounding! Brava, Eggerth! Thank you for posting. :)

[Galantski]

Truly, her voice has aged like a fine wine. A most enjoyable listen. Thanks for the wonderful upload.

[mariasarda]

Incroyable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[guwumpki]

So Beautiful and Inspiring!