Kirsten Flagstad made her debut in Oslo's National
Theatre in 1913 singing in D' Albert's opera Tiefland. Flagstad
grew up in a musical family. Her mother taught her to read music
and gave her daughter a copy of Wagner's Lohengrin score at the
age of ten. For the next twenty years Flagstad pursued her
operatic career within Scandinavia. She developed a strong vocal
technique which never let her down and her ability to play the
piano and sight read added to the firm musicianship of her singing.
Enthusiastic reports of her singing the role of Isolde in Oslo
reached Germany and as a result she was engaged to sing in the
Bayreuth festival. She started with minor roles in 1933 then sang
Sieglinde in 1934, a role she was to repeat the following year in
New York. Until she retired from opera in 1953 Flagstad was
considered to be one of the leading Wagner singers of her day.
Flagstad hated all the ancillary attractions of fame and usually
said no to requests to attend functions, teach and join parties. "To
sing is to live" was her motto. After retiring from the stage
Flagstad continued to sing in recitals and concerts becoming a
great exponent of Grieg's songs. She also directed the Norwegian
State Opera from 1958 to 1960.
Sir Adrian Boult recalled that although she had retired from
opera she "was still a very great singer, and a delightful artist to
accompany."
Sir Adrian Boult recalled that although Flagstad had retired from opera she "was still a very great singer, and delightful artist to accompany."
1PD28 Flagstad Sings Brahms and Mahler
Kirsten Flagstad sings
Brahms Vier ernste Gesange
(Edwin McArthur piano)
Mahler Kindertotenlieder
Mahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Sir Adrian Boult,
recorded 1956/7
or phone Priory Records 01525 377566
More from Kirsten Flgastad
Below are Beulah Extra tracks that can be downloaded in high quality 320KB/s MP3 files.
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Eight songs by Brahms:
Treue Liebe Op. 7 No. 1
Am Sonntag Morgen Op. 49 No. 1
Auf dem Kirchhofe Op. 105 No. 4
Wie Melodien ziecht es Op. 105 No. 1
Alte Liebe Op. 72 No. 1
Bei dir sind meine Gedanken Op. 95 No. 2
Wir wandelten Op. 96 No. 2
Dein blaues Auge Op. 59 No. 8
sung by Kirsten Flagstad with Edwin McArthur (piano).
Recorded in August 1956 at Decca Studio No2, West Hampstead, London.
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