Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Lehmann, Lilli

LEHMANN, Lilli, singer, b. in Würzburg, Germany, 10 June, 1848. She received her musical education from her mother, Marie Lowe, a celebrated dramatic soprano, and in 1866 made her début at Prague in the “Magic Flute,” studied under Herman Laube in Leipsic, sang in Berlin, and was then appointed court singer for life. She appeared in opera and concert in the principal cities of Germany, and gained reputation in light soprano parts; but her voice subsequently changing with practice, she appeared in grand opera, taking the most difficult rôles and receiving enthusiastic receptions throughout Europe. Before Richard Wagner's death, she went to Baireuth, sang under his direction, and became the most successful exponent of his dramatic heroines. In her personation of Brünhilde in the “Nibelungen” trilogy, Isolde in “Tristan und Isolde,” and in Fidelio in Beethoven's opera of that name she has attained celebrity not only in her rendition of the musical score, but as a tragic actress. She came to this country in 1886, and has continued for many years to appear at the Metropolitan opera-house, New York, and in concert and oratorio. In May, 1888, she married Paul Kalisch, a German tenor.