Gertrud Kappel

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Gertrud Kappel
Gertrud Kappel, from a 1928 publication
Gertrud Kappel, from a 1928 publication
BornSeptember 1, 1884
Halle, Germany
DiedApril 3, 1971
Münich
Other namesGertrude Kappel Vukas
OccupationOpera singer

Gertrud Kappel Vukas (sometimes Gertrude; September 1, 1884 – April 3, 1971) was a German dramatic soprano. She sang at the Metropolitan Opera and at the Royal Opera House during her career, and was known for her Wagnerian and Strauss roles.

Early life and education

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Born in Halle, Kappel studied under Hungarian conductor Artur Nikisch at the conservatory in Leipzig, before making her debut in Il trovatore in Hanover in 1903.[1]

Career

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Kappel was active in many major opera houses during her career. She sang in Munich[2] and Vienna,[3][4] in London in 1912–1913[5][6] and 1924–1925,[7][8] at the Metropolitan Opera from 1927[9] until 1936.[10][11] She also toured as a concert singer,[12] and made recordings.[13]

Kappel was known for her interpretations of the works of Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss,[4][14] especially Isolde,[15] Brunnhilde, and Kundry.[16] In London, she gave "a fine Brunnhilde" in 1924,[8] and was "a rare pleasure" as Isolde in 1925.[17] Her performances as Elektra, Sieglinde, and Senta in London in 1925 were described as having "dramatic force" and "uncanny eloquence".[7] In her first Chicago appearance in 1928, "her account of the Brünnhilde music carried a genuine thrill."[18] In 1932 she starred in the first production of Elektra at the Metropolitan Opera.[19] In January 1934, she and Lauritz Melchior co-starred in a national radio broadcast of Tristan and Isolde.[20][21] The following month, she was again heard on radio, in a national broadcast of Die Walkure with Paul Althouse and Frida Leider.[22]

Personal life

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Kappel was married to engineer Simon Vukas.[19][23] She died in 1971, at the age of 86, in Munich.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Gertrude Kappel". Northwest Musical Herald: 7. December 1928.
  2. ^ "Impressive Performance of Lohengrin Closes the Munich Wagner Festival". Musical America. 97 (10): 7, 31. September 6, 1928 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ "Gertrude Kappel's Success in European Opera". The Musical Leader. 57 (1): 4. July 4, 1929.
  4. ^ a b Eversman, Alice (1933-12-10). "Two Metropolitan Stars Open Townsend Musicales". Evening star. p. 55. Retrieved 2025-04-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Musical Gossip". The Athenaeum (4461): 474. April 26, 1913 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ "Echoes of Music Abroad". Musical America. 18 (3): 9. May 24, 1913 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ^ a b "Royal Opera: 'Der Fliegende Hollander'". The Daily Telegraph. 1925-06-06. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-03-31 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Nibelungen Ring Given in London for First Time in Ten Years". New York Evening Post. June 14, 1924. p. 7 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  9. ^ "Opera: News of the Lyric Stage". The Evening Sun. 1927-05-14. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-03-31 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "21 Singers Added at Metropolitan; Newcomers Will Replace 17 Members of Company Who Are Not Returning". The New York Times. November 16, 1936. p. 14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
  11. ^ Affron, Charles; Affron, Mirella Jona (2014-09-22). Grand Opera: The Story of the Met. Univ of California Press. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-520-25033-8.
  12. ^ "Gertrude Kappel, soprano". Musical America. 48: 4. November 24, 1928.
  13. ^ Mackenzie, Compton (September 1926). "August Records". The Gramophone. 4: 132.
  14. ^ Leslie Orrey; Gilbert Chase (September 1976). The Encyclopedia of opera. Scribner. ISBN 9780684136301.
  15. ^ "The Opera Opens". Oakland Tribune. 1933-10-29. p. 36. Retrieved 2025-04-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Cushing, Edward (1927-10-09). "New Metropolitan Star Coming". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 91. Retrieved 2025-04-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Grein, J.T. (May 30, 1925). "American Methods in London; a New Operette Star". Illustrated London News: 1072 – via Internet Archive.
  18. ^ "Wagner Given Splendid Presentation in Chicago". Musical America. 48: 31. December 22, 1928.
  19. ^ a b "Gertrude Kappel, Once a Met Star". The New York Times. 1971-04-06. p. 42. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
  20. ^ Kappel, Gertrude (1934-01-06). "Kappel, As Isolde, To Sing High Song of Love on Radio". The Morning Press. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-04-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Tristan and Isolde Broadcast Tomorrow". Visalia Times-Delta. 1934-01-05. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-04-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Opera Singers Will Broadcast Wagner's Music-Drama Saturday". Riverside Daily Press. 1934-02-02. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-04-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Visitor". Daily News. 1933-11-01. p. 10. Retrieved 2025-04-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Gertrud Kappel, 86, opera singer". The Toronto Star. 1971-04-06. p. 14. Retrieved 2025-03-31 – via Newspapers.com.
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