A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Malten, Thérèse
MALTEN, Thérèse, born at Insterburg, Eastern Prussia, was taught singing by Gustav Engel of Berlin. She made her début as Pamina and Agatha at Dresden in 1873, where she has been engaged ever since. Her parts also include Armida, Iphigenia, Fidelio, Jessonda, Genoveva, Leonora ('Trovatore'), Margaret; the heroines of Wagner; the Queen of Sheba in Goldmark's opera of that name; the Princess Marie in Kretschmer's 'Folkunger' on its production in 1874; Fulvia on the production of Hofmann's 'Arminius' in 1877, etc. On leave of absence she has played in London, Berlin, Vienna, etc. In August 1882 she appeared at Bayreuth as Kundry, at the instance of Wagner, who had a very high opinion of her ability, again in 1884, and at Munich, where she played the same part in private before the late King, from whom she received the gold medal of Arts and Science.
She made a great impression on her début at Drury Lane under Richter as Fidelio, May 24, 1882, and during the season as Elsa, May 27; Elizabeth, June 3, and Eva, June 7. She reappeared in England at the Albert Hall on the production of 'Parsifal,' Nov. 10 and 15, 1884.
She possesses a voice of extraordinary compass, with deep and powerful notes in the lower register. She is an admirable actress, being especially successful in Wagner's operas. She was appointed chamber singer to the King of Saxony in 1880, and was also chosen by Wagner to play Isolde at Bayreuth in 1883, though the performance did not take place owing to the death of the composer.