Elsa Alsen Explained

Elsa Alsen
Birth Date:7 April 1880
Birth Place:Obra, Kingdom of Prussia,
German Empire
Death Date:31 January 1975 (age 94)
Death Place:New York, U.S.
Other Names:Elsa Henneberger
Occupation:Opera singer, concert singer, voice teacher

Elsa Alsen (7 April 1880 – 31 January 1975) was an American dramatic soprano and concert singer, born in Prussia, best known for her Wagnerian roles.

Early life

Alsen was born in Obra, Prussia, the daughter of a French mother and Norwegian father.[1]

Career

Alsen made her operatic debut in 1902, in Heidelberg. She sang as a contralto early in her career,[2] then as a dramatic soprano, often in Wagnerian roles, especially Brünnhilde and Isolde.[3] [4] She appeared with various German opera companies for twenty years before her American debut in 1923, while touring with the Wagnerian Opera Company.[5] She sang with the Chicago Civic Opera Company from 1925 to 1928.

Alsen gave a concert at New York's Aeolian Hall with Georg Liebling in 1925.[6] She was "acclaimed with deafening applause" at a 1928 appearance in Detroit,[7] sang with the Washington National Opera in February 1928,[8] and sang arias at the Milwaukee Sängerfest later that year.[9] In 1929 she sang at a large Memorial Day event in Los Angeles.[10] She was a "favorite" at the Hollywood Bowl by 1930,[11] and in the 1930s she sang at four concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra,[12] and was a concert soloist with Paul Althouse at several events, including a Sängerfest in St. Paul in 1932,[13] and with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 1934.[14]

Alsen made several recordings in the 1920s, all on the Columbia label.[15] She appeared in an early sound-era film, The Rogue Song (1930). She was featured on radio programs in the 1930s.[16] She was appointed director of the Cecilia Music School of the Madonna House Settlement in 1937.[17] She taught voice students in New York City, into her eighties.

Personal life

Alsen married Richard Henneberger in 1913. She became a naturalized United States citizen in the 1930s. She died in 1975, at the age of 94, at a nursing home in New York City.[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 1937-10-30 . Great Wagnerian Soprano Here Monday, November 8 . 2024-05-02 . The News-Virginian. 1 . Newspapers.com.
  2. News: 1934-02-17 . Guest Artist . 2024-05-02 . Indianapolis News. 3. Newspapers.com.
  3. March 22, 1928 . Alsen Triumphs Again as Isolde . The Musical Leader. 54 . 12 . 27.
  4. News: 1928-12-16 . Concert Artist Coming to City . 2024-05-02 . Arizona Daily Star. 17. Newspapers.com.
  5. News: October 13, 1923 . Wagnerian Singers Arrive; Opera Company to Open Its Tour in Washington Monday . 2024-05-03. The New York Times. 13.
  6. December 1, 1925 . George Liebling Assists Elsa Alsen in his Songs . Musical Digest . 9 . 7.
  7. January 26, 1928 . Elsa Alsen Acclaimed in Detroit . The Musical Leader. 54 . 2 . 2.
  8. April 19, 1928 . Alsen With Washington Opera Company . The Musical Leader. 54 . 16 . 53.
  9. June 21, 1928 . Saengerfest Draws Many Visitors to Milwaukee . The Musical Leader. 54 . 25 . 23.
  10. News: 1929-05-29 . Elsa Alsen to Sing at Home; Sawtelle Veterans Preparing Memorial Exercises . 2024-05-02 . Los Angeles Times. 10. Newspapers.com.
  11. News: 1930-07-17 . Elsa Alsen, Favorite of Bowl Audiences, Returns Tomorrow for a Concert . 2024-05-02 . Redlands Daily Facts. 4 . Newspapers.com.
  12. Web site: Performance History Search: Elsa Alsen . 2024-05-01 . Boston Symphony Orchestra Archives.
  13. News: 1932-06-19 . Northwest Saengerfest Includes Five Concerts; Paul Althouse, Elsa Alsen to Appear as Soloists . 2024-05-02 . Star Tribune. 30 . Newspapers.com.
  14. News: 1934-03-18 . Baltimore Symphony at the Lyric; Paul Althouse and Elsa Alsen to Sing with Orchestra . 2024-05-02. The Baltimore Sun. 36. Newspapers.com.
  15. Web site: Elsa Alsen . 2024-05-01 . Discography of American Historical Recordings.
  16. News: 1927-12-03 . Noted Artists Will Be Heard; Columbia Chain to Feature Mme. Elsa Alsen, Sascha Jacobsen . 2024-05-02. Windsor Star. 27 . Newspapers.com.
  17. News: August 1, 1937 . Elsa Alsen Named Director of Music School; Dramatic Soprano Is Appointed to the Cecilia Institution of Madonna House . 2024-05-03. The New York Times. 39.
  18. News: Elsa Alsen Dead; Opera Singer, 94; Soprano Taught Voice Here After Leaving Stage . February 2, 1975 . 49 . 2024-05-03. The New York Times.

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