A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Mallinger, Mathilde

MALLINGER, Mathilde, born Feb. 17, 1847, at Agram, Croatia, was first taught singing there by her father, a professor of music, and Professor Lichtenegger, later by Gordigiani and Vogl at the Prague Conservatorium from 1863–66, and finally by Richard Lewy at Vienna. On the recommendation of Franz Lachner she was engaged at Munich, where she made her début as Norma, Oct. 4, 1866. She was the original Eva in the 'Meistersinger,' June 21, 1868. She made her débuts at Berlin as Elsa, April 6, and Norma, April 9, 1869. She was an excellent actress and a great favourite, married the Baron Schimmelpfennig von der Oye at Berlin, and remained there during her whole musical career. On leave of absence she played with success at Vienna, Munich, etc., and in Italian opera at St. Petersburg and Moscow, but with indifferent success. Her parts included Donna Anna, Fidelio, Jessonda, Valentine, Leonora ('Trovatore'), Iphigenia, Euryanthe, Susanna, Zerlina, Mrs. Ford, etc. About 1871 a certain section of the Berlin public tried to establish her claim as leading singer as against Pauline Lucca, the then reigning favourite. Endless quarrels ensued on their account, which culminated at a performance of the 'Nozze,' Jan. 27, 1872, where they were both playing. On Lucca's entry as Cherubino she was hissed—in consequence of which she broke her contract in the following autumn and left for America. It is rumoured that Mme. Mallinger having lost her voice has become a 'dramatic' actress, and will appear shortly at the Königstadter Theatre, Berlin.

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