Selma Kurz, "O beau pays", Meyerbeer: Les Huguenots (Gramophone Co., 1906)

Austrian soprano Selma Kurz (1874-1933), a leading lyric-coloratura at the Imperial Court Opera of Vienna and later the Vienna State Opera, in Queen Marguerite's aria "O beau pays" (sung here in German) from Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots, recorded for the Gramophone Co. in 1906.

The biographical profile of the singer by Christopher Norton-Welsh: "Kurz began her career in Frankfurt as a mezzo. She debuted as Elisabeth in Tannhauser and soon portrayed Carmen. She arrived in Vienna in 1899 as a mezzo with Mignon as her first role; she was an immediate success. Mahler was the first to encourage her coloratura soprano range and two years later she triumphed as the Queen of the Night. Nevertheless, she continued to sing heavier roles like Elisabeth or Lotte in Werther, and was very popular as Mimi and Cio-Cio-San. Later Richard Strauss wrote the role of Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos especially for her. Despite many international appearances, Kurz always returned to Vienna, where she remained until she retired in 1927, singing a total of 34 roles."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Selma
• Kurz
• beau
• pays
• Meyerbeer
• Les
• Huguenots
• 1906

[pietrodi1]

La musica di meyerbeer e' molto spesso criticata;pero' quest'aria per me e' davvero bella,direi magica! Quando la rêverie tutta francese diventa linguaggio universale!

Certo la Sutherland, per me, non e' stata ancora superata,in questo pezzo,ma anche la Kurz e' molto,molto brava, a suo modo, magica! Grazie per il post

[AulicExclusiva]

Superbly expressive, romantic singing by this great singer in her prime. The floated tone is among the most gorgeous of all.

[lewashcliffe]

While I have heard of Selma Kurtz, I am new to her recordings. So, this was a very special treat for me. What an experience! Her clear, ringing tones are so perfect in every way. She is definitely in the same vocal company as Melba and Tetrazzini. Another great from the golden age of singing that has been totally lost in today's world bad vocal training and ignorance. Thank you for sharing this and adding to my life's richness.

[Matt75003]

This is magnificent. Kurz brings out the beauty of this much abused and trivialized aria. Thank you for this marvellous upload.

[meltzerboy]

I had never heard Kurz' recording of this before, only her recording of the Page's aria from Huguenots. She captures the sentiment of the Queen perfectly with her creamy legato tone. Other great recordings of the aria include those of Siems, Hempel, Verlet, Sutherland, and Sills. Thank you, Tim!

[AlmaWinemiller]

Exquisite! Thank you Tim.

[EdmundStAustell]

I've made this comment before, but that near vibrato-less line is quite haunting, almost hypnotizing. Those 2 floated B naturals, and one high C, near-piano, constitute a superb piece of vocalism:) Excellent.

[65attila]

@paulostroff99

Tim Thanks for posting and Paulo for sharing this glorious performance, Selma is a magnificent singer

and she is so at ease and evocative here.

Thanks-John

[Bivolari]

Singing of a very high order. What a cadenza!

[paulostroff99]

Lovely! TY Tim for sharing.