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{{Short description|German opera singer (1929–2024)}}
{{Short description|German opera singer (1929–2024)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Sigrid Kehl
| name = Sigrid Kehl
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| caption = Kehl in the 1950s
| caption = Kehl in the 1950s
| birth_date = {{birth date|1929|11|23|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1929|11|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Berlin]], [[Weimar Republic]]
| birth_place = [[Berlin]], [[Weimar Republic|Germany]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|12|18|1929|11|23|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|12|18|1929|11|23|df=y}}
| death_place =
| death_place = [[Leipzig]], Germany
| spouse = Friedhelm Eberle
| children = 1
| education = {{ubl| [[Berlin University of the Arts]] | [[Berlin State Opera]] studio }}
| education = {{ubl| [[Berlin University of the Arts]] | [[Berlin State Opera]] studio }}
| occupation = {{ubl| Classical operatic singer ([[mezzo-soprano]] and [[dramatic soprano]]) | Academic teacher }}
| occupation = {{ubl| Classical operatic singer ([[mezzo-soprano]] and [[dramatic soprano]]) | Academic teacher }}
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}}
}}


'''Sigrid Kehl''' (23 November 1929 – 18 December 2024) was a German operatic [[mezzo-soprano]] and later [[dramatic soprano]]. Based at the [[Leipzig Opera]] for more than 35 years, she also performed leading roles internationally, such as Wagner's [[Der Ring des Nibelungen|Brünnhilde]] and [[Tristan und Isolde|Isolde]]. In Leipzig, she portrayed the Nurse in Strauss' ''[[Die Frau ohne Schatten]]'', directed by [[Joachim Herz]], from 1963, and the Kostelnička in Janáček's ''[[Jenůfa]]'' from 1968, conducted by [[Václav Neumann]]. In [[Joachim Herz#Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen directed by Herz|Wagner's ''Der Ring des Nibelungen'' directed by Herz]], a production begun from 1973, she appeared as Fricka in ''[[Das Rheingold]]'' and as Brünnhilde in the other parts.
'''Sigrid Kehl''' (23 November 1929 – 18 December 2024) was a German operatic [[mezzo-soprano]] and later [[dramatic soprano]]. Based at the [[Leipzig Opera]] for more than 35 years, she also performed leading roles internationally, such as Wagner's [[Der Ring des Nibelungen|Brünnhilde]] and [[Tristan und Isolde|Isolde]]. In Leipzig, she portrayed the Nurse in Strauss' ''[[Die Frau ohne Schatten]]'', directed by [[Joachim Herz]], from 1963, and the Kostelnička in Janáček's ''[[Jenůfa]]'' from 1968, conducted by [[Václav Neumann]]. In [[Joachim Herz#Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen directed by Herz|Wagner's ''Der Ring des Nibelungen'' directed by Herz]], a production from 1973, she appeared as Fricka in ''[[Das Rheingold]]'' and as Brünnhilde in the other parts.


== Early life and career ==
== Life and career ==
Born in Berlin on 23 November 1929<ref name="sak" />{{efn|Some sources have 1932 as her year of birth.<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" />}} After obtaining her ''[[Abitur]]'' in [[Arnstadt]], Kehl first studied piano, voice and pedagogy at the conservatory of Thuringia in [[Erfurt]] from 1948 to 1951.<ref name="sak" /> She studied voice and piano further at the [[Berlin University of the Arts]] until 1956.<ref name="sak" /><ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She wanted to become a [[Lied]]er singer, of songs by [[Robert Schumann|Schumann]], [[Johannes Brahms|Brahms]] and [[Gustav Mahler|Mahler]], thinking that she was too tall for the stage.<ref name="LVZ" />


She made her debut at the [[Berlin State Opera]] while still a member of the opera studio, as a Polowetz woman in Borodin's ''[[Prince Igor]]'' conducted by [[Horst Stein]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> Other beginners' roles included Mamma Lucia in Mascagni's ''[[Cavalleria rusticana]]'', Widow Browe in Lortzing's ''[[Zar und Zimmermann]]'' and Mrs. Quickly in Verdi's ''[[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]]'', directed by [[Joachim Herz]].<ref name="Oehme" /> In 1956 she won the 2nd prize at the [[Robert Schumann International Competition for Pianists and Singers]].<ref name="sak" /> It led to her engagement at the [[Leipzig Opera]] by {{Ill|Helmut Seydelmann|de}} who was then [[Generalmusikdirektor]], because he overheard her rehearsing for the competition and told her that she was engaged.<ref name="LVZ" />
Kehl was born in Berlin on 23 November 1929.<ref name="sak" />{{efn|Some sources have 1932 as her year of birth.<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" />}} After obtaining her ''[[Abitur]]'' in [[Arnstadt]], Kehl first studied piano, voice and pedagogy at the conservatory of Thuringia in [[Erfurt]] from 1948 to 1951.<ref name="sak" /> She studied voice and piano further at the [[Berlin University of the Arts]] until 1956.<ref name="sak" /><ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She wanted to become a [[Lied]]er singer, of songs by [[Robert Schumann|Schumann]], [[Johannes Brahms|Brahms]] and [[Gustav Mahler|Mahler]], thinking that she was too tall for the stage.<ref name="LVZ" />


She became a permanent member of the ensemble in 1957 and remained there for over 35 years. In the course of her career she performed more than 70 roles at the Leipzig Opera House, ranging from lyrical [[mezzo-soprano]] to dramatic [[soprano]].<ref name="MDR" /> When she began, opera was still played at an interim house in Lindenau.<ref name="LVZ" /> She first performed small roles such as Ines in Verdi's ''[[Il trovatore]]'', the Shepherd boy in Puccini's ''Tosca'' and the priestess in Verdi's ''[[Aida]]''.<ref name="LVZ" /> She appeared as Mercedes in Bizet's ''[[Carmen]]''. Her first lead role was Octavian in ''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' by Richard Strauss, still in Lindenau. When the new opera house was opened with Wagner's ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'', she appeared as Magdalene.<ref name="LVZ" /> The same season, she performed Zenobia in Handel's ''[[Radamisto]]'' and Helene in Prokofiev's ''[[War and Peace (opera)|War and Peace]]''.<ref name="sak" /> Later she included dramatic Verdi mezzo roles in her repertoire, including Amneris in ''Aida'', Princess Eboli in ''[[Don Carlos]]'' and [[Macbeth (Verdi)|Lady Macbeth]].<ref name="LVZ" /> In 1964 she first performed the challenging role of the Nurse in Strauss' ''[[Die Frau ohne Schatten]]'', directed by Herz and conducted by Paul Schmitz.<ref name="LVZ" /> She then tackled Wagner roles, Ortrud in Wagner's ''[[Lohengrin (opera)|Lohengrin]]'', Venus in ''[[Tannhäuser (opera)|Tannhäuser]]'' and Brangäne in ''[[Tristan und Isolde]]''.<ref name="LVZ" /> She also appeared in [[trousers role]]s such as Orpheus in Gluck's ''[[Orfeo ed Euridice]]''. She performed the role of the Kostelnička in Janáček's ''[[Jenůfa]]'' in 1968, conducte by [[Václav Neumann]].<ref name="sak" /><ref name="LVZ" />
She made her debut at the [[Berlin State Opera]] while still a member of the opera studio, as a Polowetz woman in Borodin's ''[[Prince Igor]]'' conducted by [[Horst Stein]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> Other beginners' roles included Mamma Lucia in Mascagni's ''[[Cavalleria rusticana]]'', Widow Browe in Lortzing's ''[[Zar und Zimmermann]]'' and Mrs Quickly in Verdi's ''[[Falstaff (opera)|Falstaff]]'', directed by [[Joachim Herz]].<ref name="Oehme" /> In 1956 she won the second prize at the [[Robert Schumann International Competition for Pianists and Singers]].<ref name="sak" /> It led to her engagement at the [[Leipzig Opera]] by {{Ill|Helmut Seydelmann|de}} who was then [[Generalmusikdirektor]]; he overheard her rehearsing for the competition and told her that she was engaged.<ref name="LVZ" />
=== Leipzig Opera ===
Kehl became a permanent member of the ensemble in 1957 and remained there for over 35 years. In the course of her career she performed more than 70 roles at the with the Leipzig Opera, ranging from lyrical [[mezzo-soprano]] to dramatic [[soprano]].<ref name="MDR" /> When she began, opera was still played at an interim house in Lindenau.<ref name="LVZ" /> She first performed small roles such as Ines in Verdi's ''[[Il trovatore]]'', the Shepherd boy in Puccini's ''[[Tosca]]'' and the priestess in Verdi's ''[[Aida]]''.<ref name="LVZ" /> She appeared as Mercedes in Bizet's ''[[Carmen]]''. Her first lead role was Octavian in ''[[Der Rosenkavalier]]'' by Richard Strauss, still in Lindenau. When the new opera house was opened with Wagner's ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'', she appeared as Magdalene.<ref name="LVZ" /> The same season, she performed Zenobia in Handel's ''[[Radamisto]]'' and Helene in Prokofiev's ''[[War and Peace (opera)|War and Peace]]''.<ref name="sak" /> Later she included dramatic Verdi mezzo roles in her repertoire, including Amneris in ''Aida'', Princess Eboli in ''[[Don Carlos]]'' and [[Macbeth (Verdi)|Lady Macbeth]].<ref name="LVZ" /> In 1964 she first performed the challenging role of the Nurse in Strauss' ''[[Die Frau ohne Schatten]]'', directed by Herz and conducted by Paul Schmitz.<ref name="LVZ" /> She then tackled Wagner roles, Ortrud in Wagner's ''[[Lohengrin (opera)|Lohengrin]]'', Venus in ''[[Tannhäuser (opera)|Tannhäuser]]'' and Brangäne in ''[[Tristan und Isolde]]''.<ref name="LVZ" /> She also appeared in [[trousers role]]s such as Orpheus in Gluck's ''[[Orfeo ed Euridice]]''. She performed the role of the Kostelnička in Janáček's ''[[Jenůfa]]'' in 1968, conducted by [[Václav Neumann]].<ref name="sak" /><ref name="LVZ" />


At the beginning of the 1970s, Kehl turned to dramatic soprano repertoire, beginning with Leonore in Beethoven's ''[[Fidelio]]'' in 1970. In 1974 she portrayed Brünnhilde and Fricka in the legendary [[Der Ring des Nibelungen|''Ring'' cycle]] production by Herz.<ref name="LVZ" /><ref name="MDR" /> She first appeared as Wagner's [[Tristan und Isolde|Isolde]] in 1981, conducted by [[Kurt Masur]].<ref name="LVZ" /><ref name="MDR" /> In the 1982/83 season she assumed the role of Kundry in a new production of Wagner's ''[[Parsifal]]''.<ref name="sak" />
At the beginning of the 1970s, Kehl turned to dramatic soprano repertoire, beginning with Leonore in Beethoven's ''[[Fidelio]]'' in 1970. In 1974 she portrayed Brünnhilde and Fricka in the legendary [[Der Ring des Nibelungen|''Ring'' cycle]] production by Herz.<ref name="LVZ" /><ref name="MDR" /> She first appeared as Wagner's [[Tristan und Isolde|Isolde]] in 1981, conducted by [[Kurt Masur]].<ref name="LVZ" /><ref name="MDR" /> In the 1982/83 season she assumed the role of Kundry in a new production of Wagner's ''[[Parsifal]]''.<ref name="sak" />


=== Guest performances ===
Kehl had a guest contract with the Berlin State Opera from 1971, making her debut as the Nurse in a production by [[Harry Kupfer]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She also performed at the [[Komische Oper Berlin]], as Penelope in Monteverdi's ''[[Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria]]'' directed by [[Götz Friedrich]]. She performed the title role of ''[[Elektra (opera)|Elektra]]'' by Strauss first at the [[Theater Hagen]] in 1977, as a substitute at a few hours' notice, saving the premiere of the new production. In 1981 she stepped in again, in Hagen, in another premiere of the piece, as Klytämnestra.


From 1960, Kehl also gave international guest performances;<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> in 1966 she performed as Brünnhilde in Wagner's Siegfried at the [[Teatro di San Carlo]] in Naples, alongside [[Hans Hopf]] in the title role,<ref name="Oehme" /> and as Sieglinde in ''[[Die Walküre]]'' at the [[Teatro Comunale di Bologna]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She appeared at the [[Grand Théâtre de Genève]], in the title role of Carl Orff's ''[[Antigonae]]'' in 1970<ref name="GTG 1970" /> and as the Kostelnička in 1972.<ref name="GTG 1972" /> She performed at the [[Bern Theatre]] as Sextus in Mozart's ''[[La clemenza di Tito]]'' in 1972. At the [[Vienna State Opera]], she appeared as Ortrud (1975/76) and Venus (1979).<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /><ref name="Vienna" /> She performed as Isolde at the [[Lausanne Opera]] in 1983,<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> at the [[Opernhaus Graz]], as Fricka in Wagner's ''[[Das Rheingold]]'' at the [[Bolshoi Theatre]] in Moscow,<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> in Prague <!--(as sexton) ?-->, Budapest, Sofia and [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> Her last new role was Herodias in ''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'' by Strauss, performed at [[La Fenice]] in Venice in 1969. She appeared there also as Ortrud and Brangäne, conducted by [[Zubin Mehta]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She performed as the Kostelnička in ''Jenůfa'' at the [[Semperoper]] in Dresden in another production by Herz.<ref name="sak" />
Kehl had a guest contract with the [[Berlin State Opera]] from 1971, making her debut as the Nurse in a production by [[Harry Kupfer]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She also performed at the [[Komische Oper Berlin]], as Penelope in Monteverdi's ''[[Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria]]'' directed by [[Götz Friedrich]]. She performed the title role of ''[[Elektra (opera)|Elektra]]'' by Strauss first at the [[Theater Hagen]] in 1977, as a substitute at a few hours' notice, saving the premiere of the new production.<ref name="Hoppe" />
From 1960, Kehl also gave international guest performances;<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> in 1966, she performed as Brünnhilde in Wagner's Siegfried at the [[Teatro di San Carlo]] in Naples, alongside [[Hans Hopf]] in the title role,<ref name="Oehme" /> and as Sieglinde in ''[[Die Walküre]]'' at the [[Teatro Comunale di Bologna]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She appeared at the [[Grand Théâtre de Genève]], in the title role of Carl Orff's ''[[Antigonae]]'' in 1970<ref name="GTG 1970" /> and as the Kostelnička in 1972.<ref name="GTG 1972" /> She performed at the [[Bern Theatre]] as Sextus in Mozart's ''[[La clemenza di Tito]]'' in 1972. At the [[Vienna State Opera]], she appeared as Ortrud (1975/76) and Venus (1979).<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /><ref name="Vienna" /> She performed as Isolde at the [[Lausanne Opera]] in 1983,<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> at the [[Opernhaus Graz]], as Fricka in Wagner's ''[[Das Rheingold]]'' at the [[Bolshoi Theatre]] in Moscow,<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> in Prague<!--(as sexton) ?-->, Budapest, Sofia and [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> Her last new role was Herodias in ''[[Salome (opera)|Salome]]'' by Strauss, performed at [[La Fenice]] in Venice in 1969. She appeared there also as Ortrud and Brangäne, conducted by [[Zubin Mehta]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She performed as the Kostelnička in ''Jenůfa'' at the [[Semperoper]] in Dresden in another production by Herz.<ref name="sak" />


Kostelnička was her last stage role in Leipzig in 1989.<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She still had a contract for the 1989/90 season, but preferred to retire due to the changes during the [[Die Wende|Wende]] period. She was awarded the title [[Kammersänger]]in in 1963,<ref name="sak" /> and was appointed an honorary member of the Leipzig Opera in 1990 after she retired.<ref name="sak" /><ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" />
Kostelnička was her last stage role in Leipzig in 1989.<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /> She still had a contract for the 1989/90 season, but preferred to retire due to the changes during the [[Die Wende|Wende]] period. She was awarded the title [[Kammersänger]]in in 1963,<ref name="sak" /> and was appointed an honorary member of the Leipzig Opera in 1990 after she retired.<ref name="sak" /><ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" />


=== Concert ===
⚫
From 1979 Kehl taught voice for a decade as professor at the [[Musikhochschule Leipzig]].<ref name="sak" /><ref name="LVZ" /> She initiated an opera project in 1996 and was artistic director for Telemann's ''[[Don Quichotte auf der Hochzeit des Comacho]]'' in a collaboration of the music academies of Leipzig and Berlin and the [[Leipzig Opera]]. She became a member of the [[Sächsische Akademie der Künste]].<ref name="sak" />
Kehl was active as a concert singer. Early in career she performed as an alto soloist with the [[Thomanerchor]]. A performance of Bach's ''[[Christmas Oratorio]]'' at the [[Paulinerkirche, Leipzig|Paulinerkirche]] in Leipzig was broadcast live on 15 December 1963. Performed by Thomanerchor and the [[Gewandhausorchester]], with Elisabeth Breuel, [[Peter Schreier]] and
[[Günther Leib]], conducted by [[Erhard Mauersberger]], it became a historic document when the church was demolished. The recording was recovered in 2013.<ref name="Pauliner" />


== Personal life ==
=== Teaching and later years ===

⚫
Kehl was married to the actor {{ill|Friedhelm Eberle|de}};<ref name="MDR" /><ref name="LVZ" /> they lived in Leipzig<ref name="sak" /> and had a son.<ref name="LVZ" /> She died on 18 December 2024, at the age of 95.<ref name="LVZ" /><ref name="MDR" />
⚫
From 1979, Kehl taught voice for a decade as professor at the [[Musikhochschule Leipzig]].<ref name="sak" /><ref name="LVZ" /> She initiated an opera project in 1996 and was artistic director for Telemann's ''[[Don Quichotte auf der Hochzeit des Comacho]]'' in a collaboration of the music academies of Leipzig and Berlin and the [[Leipzig Opera]]. She became a member of the [[Sächsische Akademie der Künste]] in 1996.<ref name="sak" />

=== Personal life ===

⚫
Kehl was married to the actor {{ill|Friedhelm Eberle|de}};<ref name="MDR" /><ref name="LVZ" /> they lived in Leipzig<ref name="sak" /> and had a son.<ref name="LVZ" /> She died on 18 December 2024, at the age of 95.<ref name="sak" /><ref name="LVZ" /><ref name="MDR" />


== Recordings ==
== Recordings ==

<!--She sang almost all the great dramatic roles of opera literature. She took on roles in both soprano and mezzo-soprano. The highlights of her artistic activity as a singer were her embodiments of the nurse in Die Frau ohne Schatten and Brünnhilde in ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]''. Another important role of Kehl was Marie in Berg's opera ''[[Wozzeck]]''.-->
<!--She sang almost all the great dramatic roles of opera literature. She took on roles in both soprano and mezzo-soprano. The highlights of her artistic activity as a singer were her embodiments of the nurse in Die Frau ohne Schatten and Brünnhilde in ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]''. Another important role of Kehl was Marie in Berg's opera ''[[Wozzeck]]''.-->
Kehl made recordings for radio and both live and studio recordings with the label {{Ill|Eterna|de|Eterna (Plattenlabel)|lt=Eterna}}.<!--<ref>[https://www.jpc.de/s/sigrid+kehl Recordings] on JP<sup>C</sup></ref> lost, will check--> Some recordings were reissued on CD, including Mercedes in ''Carmen'' in a 1960 complete recording with [[Soňa Červená]] and [[Rolf Apreck]], conducted by [[Herbert Kegel]],<ref name="t154">{{citation | last1=Bizet | first1=Georges | last2=Aderhold | first2=Bruno | last3=Apreck | first3=Rolf | last4=Croonen | first4=Maria | last5=Engert | first5=Ursula | last6=Halévy | first6=Ludovic | last7=Kegel | first7=Herbert | last8=Kehl | first8=Sigrid | last9=Klemm | first9=Wilhelm | last10=Knothe | first10=Dietrich | last11=Lauhöfer | first11=Robert | last12=Leib | first12=Günther | last13=Meilhac | first13=Henri | last14=Neukirch | first14=Harald | last15=Červená | first15=Soňa | author16=Rundfunk-Kinderchor (Leipzig) | author17=Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig | author18=Rundfunkchor Leipzig | title=Carmen Oper in vier Akten ; Gesamtaufnahme in deutscher Sprache | publisher=Edel Classics | publication-place=[Hamburg] | year=2005 | oclc=705538879 | language=und | page=}}</ref> Zenobia in Handel's ''Radamisto'',<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /><ref name="s933">{{citation | last1=Handel | first1=George Frideric | last2=Kuhse | first2=Hanne-Lore | last3=Kehl | first3=Sigrid | last4=Apreck | first4=Rolf | last5=Kaphahn | first5=Hellmuth | last6=Süss | first6=Reiner | last7=Leib | first7=Günther | last8=Köbler | first8=Robert | last9=Margraf | first9=Horst-Tanu | author10=Händel-Festpielorchester Halle | author11=Rundfunkchor Leipzig | title=Radamisto | publisher=Berlin Classics | publication-place=[Germany] | year=1998 | oclc=811448759 | language=de | page=}}</ref> Preziosilla in Verdi's ''[[La forza del destino]]''<ref name="c914">{{citation | last1=Verdi | first1=Giuseppe | last2=Iordăchescu | first2=Dan | last3=Kehl | first3=Sigrid | last4=Kuhse | first4=Hanne-Lore | last5=Ritzmann | first5=Martin | last6=Zinger | first6=Grigorij Solomonovič | author7=Staatskapelle Berlin | author8=Staatsoper (Berlin). Chor | title=Die Macht des Schicksals : Opernquerschnitt | publisher=VEB Deutsche Schallplatten | publication-place=Berlin | year=1965 | oclc=899897774 | language=de | page=}}</ref> and Princess Eboli in ''Don Carlos'', both in excerpts with [[Hanne-Lore Kuhse]] and {{ill|Martin Ritzmann|de}}, conducted by [[Heinz Fricke]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /><ref name="p207">{{citation | last1=Verdi | first1=Giuseppe | last2=Kuhse | first2=Hanne-Lore | last3=Kehl | first3=Sigrid | last4=Ritzmann | first4=Martin | last5=Iordăchescu | first5=Dan | last6=Frick | first6=Gottlob | last7=Fricke | first7=Heinz | author8=Staatskapelle Berlin | title=Don Carlos | publisher=Naxos Digital Services/Berlin Classics | publication-place=Hong Kong | year=2009 | oclc=704902950 | language=de | page=}}</ref><ref name="g461">{{citation | last1=Verdi | first1=Giuseppe | last2=Frick | first2=Gottlob | last3=Kuhse | first3=Hanne-Lore | last4=Ritzmann | first4=Martin | last5=Kehl | first5=Sigrid | last6=Iordăchescu | first6=Dan | last7=Fricke | first7=Heinz | author8=Staatskapelle Berlin | title=Don Carlos Opernquerschnitt | publisher=Deutsche Schallplatten | publication-place=Berlin | year=1992 | oclc=1183683339 | language=de | page=}}</ref> A solo recital entitled ''Ein Opernabend mit Sigrid Kehl'' was also published.<ref name="u439">{{citation | last1=Kehl | first1=Sigrid | last2=Glahn | first2=Paul | last3=Breul | first3=Elisabeth | last4=Kurth | first4=Günter | last5=Schmitz | first5=Paul | last6=Strauss | first6=Richard | last7=Verdi | first7=Giuseppe | last8=Janáček | first8=Leoš | last9=Wagner | first9=Richard | author10=Gewandhausorchester Leipzig | title=Ein Opernabend mit Sigrid Kehl | publisher=Eterna | publication-place=[East] Berlin | year=1970 | oclc=23113180 | language=de | page=}}</ref>
Kehl made recordings for radio and both live and studio recordings with the label {{Ill|Eterna (record label)|de|Eterna (Plattenlabel)|fr|Eterna (label)|lt=Eterna}}.<!--<ref>[https://www.jpc.de/s/sigrid+kehl Recordings] on JP<sup>C</sup></ref> lost, will check--> Some recordings were reissued on CD, including Mercedes in ''Carmen'' in a 1960 complete recording with [[Soňa Červená]] and [[Rolf Apreck]], conducted by [[Herbert Kegel]],<ref name="t154">{{citation | last1=Bizet | first1=Georges | last2=Aderhold | first2=Bruno | last3=Apreck | first3=Rolf | last4=Croonen | first4=Maria | last5=Engert | first5=Ursula | last6=Halévy | first6=Ludovic | last7=Kegel | first7=Herbert | last8=Kehl | first8=Sigrid | last9=Klemm | first9=Wilhelm | last10=Knothe | first10=Dietrich | last11=Lauhöfer | first11=Robert | last12=Leib | first12=Günther | last13=Meilhac | first13=Henri | last14=Neukirch | first14=Harald | last15=Červená | first15=Soňa | author16=Rundfunk-Kinderchor (Leipzig) | author17=Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig | author18=Rundfunkchor Leipzig | title=Carmen Oper in vier Akten ; Gesamtaufnahme in deutscher Sprache | publisher=Edel Classics | publication-place=[Hamburg] | year=2005 | oclc=705538879 | language=und | page=}}</ref> Zenobia in Handel's ''Radamisto'',<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /><ref name="s933">{{citation | last1=Handel | first1=George Frideric | last2=Kuhse | first2=Hanne-Lore | last3=Kehl | first3=Sigrid | last4=Apreck | first4=Rolf | last5=Kaphahn | first5=Hellmuth | last6=Süss | first6=Reiner | last7=Leib | first7=Günther | last8=Köbler | first8=Robert | last9=Margraf | first9=Horst-Tanu | author10=Händel-Festpielorchester Halle | author11=Rundfunkchor Leipzig | title=Radamisto | publisher=Berlin Classics | publication-place=[Germany] | year=1998 | oclc=811448759 | language=de | page=}}</ref> Preziosilla in Verdi's ''[[La forza del destino]]''<ref name="c914">{{citation | last1=Verdi | first1=Giuseppe | last2=Iordăchescu | first2=Dan | last3=Kehl | first3=Sigrid | last4=Kuhse | first4=Hanne-Lore | last5=Ritzmann | first5=Martin | last6=Zinger | first6=Grigorij Solomonovič | author7=Staatskapelle Berlin | author8=Staatsoper (Berlin). Chor | title=Die Macht des Schicksals : Opernquerschnitt | publisher=VEB Deutsche Schallplatten | publication-place=Berlin | year=1965 | oclc=899897774 | language=de | page=}}</ref> and Princess Eboli in ''Don Carlos'', both in excerpts with [[Hanne-Lore Kuhse]] and {{ill|Martin Ritzmann|de}}, conducted by [[Heinz Fricke]].<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens" /><ref name="p207">{{citation | last1=Verdi | first1=Giuseppe | last2=Kuhse | first2=Hanne-Lore | last3=Kehl | first3=Sigrid | last4=Ritzmann | first4=Martin | last5=Iordăchescu | first5=Dan | last6=Frick | first6=Gottlob | last7=Fricke | first7=Heinz | author8=Staatskapelle Berlin | title=Don Carlos | publisher=Naxos Digital Services/Berlin Classics | publication-place=Hong Kong | year=2009 | oclc=704902950 | language=de | page=}}</ref><ref name="g461">{{citation | last1=Verdi | first1=Giuseppe | last2=Frick | first2=Gottlob | last3=Kuhse | first3=Hanne-Lore | last4=Ritzmann | first4=Martin | last5=Kehl | first5=Sigrid | last6=Iordăchescu | first6=Dan | last7=Fricke | first7=Heinz | author8=Staatskapelle Berlin | title=Don Carlos Opernquerschnitt | publisher=Deutsche Schallplatten | publication-place=Berlin | year=1992 | oclc=1183683339 | language=de | page=}}</ref> A solo recital entitled ''Ein Opernabend mit Sigrid Kehl'' was also published.<ref name="u439">{{citation | last1=Kehl | first1=Sigrid | last2=Glahn | first2=Paul | last3=Breul | first3=Elisabeth | last4=Kurth | first4=Günter | last5=Schmitz | first5=Paul | last6=Strauss | first6=Richard | last7=Verdi | first7=Giuseppe | last8=Janáček | first8=Leoš | last9=Wagner | first9=Richard | author10=Gewandhausorchester Leipzig | title=Ein Opernabend mit Sigrid Kehl | publisher=Eterna | publication-place=[East] Berlin | year=1970 | oclc=23113180 | language=de | page=}}</ref>


== Awards ==
== Awards ==

Kehl received several awards, including:<ref name="sak" />
Kehl received several awards, including:<ref name="sak" />
* 1967 [[National Prize of the German Democratic Republic]]
* 1967 [[National Prize of the German Democratic Republic]]
* 1976 [[Kunstpreis der Stadt Leipzig]], for the collective team realising ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]'' around Joachim Herz
* 1976 [[Kunstpreis der Stadt Leipzig]], for the collective team realising ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]'' around Joachim Herz
* 1976 [[Robert Schumann Prize of the City of Zwickau]] (with Elisso Wirsaladse)<!--
* 1976 [[Robert Schumann Prize of the City of Zwickau]] (with [[Eliso Virsaladze]])<!--


== Theatre ==
== Theatre ==
Line 55: Line 72:
== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist
{{reflist
| refs =
| refs =

<ref name="Hoppe">{{cite magazine
| last1 = Hoppe
| first1 = Bernd
| last2 = Kehl
| first2 = Sigrid
| title = Reduziert kann ich nicht sein
| type = interview
| magazine = [[Orpheus – Oper und mehr|Orpheus]]
| date = July 1993
| page = 11
}}</ref>


<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens">{{cite encyclopedia
<ref name="Kutsch/Riemens">{{cite encyclopedia
Line 90: Line 119:
| title = Antigone
| title = Antigone
| work = [[Grand Théâtre de Genève]]
| work = [[Grand Théâtre de Genève]]
| date =
| date =
| language = fr
| language = fr
| access-date = 19 December 2024
| access-date = 19 December 2024
Line 99: Line 128:
| title = Jenufa
| title = Jenufa
| work = [[Grand Théâtre de Genève]]
| work = [[Grand Théâtre de Genève]]
| date =
| date =
| language = fr
| language = fr
| access-date = 19 December 2024
| access-date = 19 December 2024
Line 120: Line 149:
| language = de
| language = de
| access-date = 19 December 2024
| access-date = 19 December 2024
}}</ref>

<ref name="Pauliner">{{cite web
| title = Fernsehaufzeichnung des Weihnachtsoratoriums aus der Leipziger Universitätskirche vom 15. Dezember 1963 entdeckt
| work = Paulinerverein
| url = http://www.paulinerverein.de/presse_121213.pdf
| language = de
| access-date = 23 December 2024
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


<ref name="sak">{{cite web
<ref name="sak">{{cite web
| title = Sigrid Kehl
| title = Sigrid Kehl
| website = [[Sächsische Akademie der Künste]]
| work = [[Sächsische Akademie der Künste]]
| url = https://www.sadk.de/mitglieder/klasse-darstellende-kunst-und-film/kehl-sigrid
| url = https://www.sadk.de/mitglieder/klasse-darstellende-kunst-und-film/kehl-sigrid
| language = de
| language = de
Line 133: Line 170:
| title = Vorstellungen mit Sigrid Kehl
| title = Vorstellungen mit Sigrid Kehl
| website = [[Vienna State Opera]]
| website = [[Vienna State Opera]]
| url = https://db-staatsoper.die-antwort.eu/search/person/1407
| url = https://db-staatsoper.die-antwort.eu/search/person/1407
| language = de
| language = de
| access-date = 19 December 2024
| access-date = 19 December 2024
Line 143: Line 180:
* Sigrid Kehl: ''Reduziert kann ich nicht sein''. Conversation with Sigrid Kehl in ''Orpheus'', July 1993, {{pp.|10–12}}.
* Sigrid Kehl: ''Reduziert kann ich nicht sein''. Conversation with Sigrid Kehl in ''Orpheus'', July 1993, {{pp.|10–12}}.
* {{citation | last1=Kehl | first1=Sigrid | last2=Sittner | first2=André | title=[Sigrid Kehl] [André Sittner im Gespräch mit der Sängerin] | year=2004 | oclc=314974039 | language=de}}
* {{citation | last1=Kehl | first1=Sigrid | last2=Sittner | first2=André | title=[Sigrid Kehl] [André Sittner im Gespräch mit der Sängerin] | year=2004 | oclc=314974039 | language=de}}
* {{cite web |last=Ernst |first=Michael | title=Sigrid Kehl: "Ich kann mich für mein Schicksal nur bedanken" | website=[[nmz]] – neue musikzeitung | date=20 December 2024 | url=https://www.nmz.de/menschen/sigrid-kehl-ich-kann-mich-fuer-mein-schicksal-nur-bedanken | language=de | access-date=20 December 2024}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 153: Line 191:
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:East German women]]
[[Category:Recipients of the National Prize of East Germany]]
[[Category:Singers from Berlin]]
[[Category:Singers from Berlin]]
[[Category:German operatic sopranos]]
[[Category:German operatic sopranos]]

Latest revision as of 21:50, 28 December 2024

Sigrid Kehl
Kehl in the 1950s
Born(1929-11-23)23 November 1929
Berlin, Germany
Died18 December 2024(2024-12-18) (aged 95)
Leipzig, Germany
Education
Occupations
Organizations
TitleKammersängerin
SpouseFriedhelm Eberle
Children1
Awards

Sigrid Kehl (23 November 1929 – 18 December 2024) was a German operatic mezzo-soprano and later dramatic soprano. Based at the Leipzig Opera for more than 35 years, she also performed leading roles internationally, such as Wagner's Brünnhilde and Isolde. In Leipzig, she portrayed the Nurse in Strauss' Die Frau ohne Schatten, directed by Joachim Herz, from 1963, and the Kostelnička in Janáček's Jenůfa from 1968, conducted by Václav Neumann. In Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen directed by Herz, a production from 1973, she appeared as Fricka in Das Rheingold and as Brünnhilde in the other parts.

Life and career

[edit]

Kehl was born in Berlin on 23 November 1929.[1][a] After obtaining her Abitur in Arnstadt, Kehl first studied piano, voice and pedagogy at the conservatory of Thuringia in Erfurt from 1948 to 1951.[1] She studied voice and piano further at the Berlin University of the Arts until 1956.[1][2] She wanted to become a Lieder singer, of songs by Schumann, Brahms and Mahler, thinking that she was too tall for the stage.[3]

She made her debut at the Berlin State Opera while still a member of the opera studio, as a Polowetz woman in Borodin's Prince Igor conducted by Horst Stein.[2] Other beginners' roles included Mamma Lucia in Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, Widow Browe in Lortzing's Zar und Zimmermann and Mrs Quickly in Verdi's Falstaff, directed by Joachim Herz.[4] In 1956 she won the second prize at the Robert Schumann International Competition for Pianists and Singers.[1] It led to her engagement at the Leipzig Opera by Helmut Seydelmann [de] who was then Generalmusikdirektor; he overheard her rehearsing for the competition and told her that she was engaged.[3]

Leipzig Opera

[edit]

Kehl became a permanent member of the ensemble in 1957 and remained there for over 35 years. In the course of her career she performed more than 70 roles at the with the Leipzig Opera, ranging from lyrical mezzo-soprano to dramatic soprano.[5] When she began, opera was still played at an interim house in Lindenau.[3] She first performed small roles such as Ines in Verdi's Il trovatore, the Shepherd boy in Puccini's Tosca and the priestess in Verdi's Aida.[3] She appeared as Mercedes in Bizet's Carmen. Her first lead role was Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, still in Lindenau. When the new opera house was opened with Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, she appeared as Magdalene.[3] The same season, she performed Zenobia in Handel's Radamisto and Helene in Prokofiev's War and Peace.[1] Later she included dramatic Verdi mezzo roles in her repertoire, including Amneris in Aida, Princess Eboli in Don Carlos and Lady Macbeth.[3] In 1964 she first performed the challenging role of the Nurse in Strauss' Die Frau ohne Schatten, directed by Herz and conducted by Paul Schmitz.[3] She then tackled Wagner roles, Ortrud in Wagner's Lohengrin, Venus in Tannhäuser and Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde.[3] She also appeared in trousers roles such as Orpheus in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice. She performed the role of the Kostelnička in Janáček's Jenůfa in 1968, conducted by Václav Neumann.[1][3]

At the beginning of the 1970s, Kehl turned to dramatic soprano repertoire, beginning with Leonore in Beethoven's Fidelio in 1970. In 1974 she portrayed Brünnhilde and Fricka in the legendary Ring cycle production by Herz.[3][5] She first appeared as Wagner's Isolde in 1981, conducted by Kurt Masur.[3][5] In the 1982/83 season she assumed the role of Kundry in a new production of Wagner's Parsifal.[1]

Guest performances

[edit]

Kehl had a guest contract with the Berlin State Opera from 1971, making her debut as the Nurse in a production by Harry Kupfer.[2] She also performed at the Komische Oper Berlin, as Penelope in Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria directed by Götz Friedrich. She performed the title role of Elektra by Strauss first at the Theater Hagen in 1977, as a substitute at a few hours' notice, saving the premiere of the new production.[6]

From 1960, Kehl also gave international guest performances;[2] in 1966, she performed as Brünnhilde in Wagner's Siegfried at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, alongside Hans Hopf in the title role,[4] and as Sieglinde in Die Walküre at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna.[2] She appeared at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, in the title role of Carl Orff's Antigonae in 1970[7] and as the Kostelnička in 1972.[8] She performed at the Bern Theatre as Sextus in Mozart's La clemenza di Tito in 1972. At the Vienna State Opera, she appeared as Ortrud (1975/76) and Venus (1979).[2][9] She performed as Isolde at the Lausanne Opera in 1983,[2] at the Opernhaus Graz, as Fricka in Wagner's Das Rheingold at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow,[2] in Prague, Budapest, Sofia and Varna.[2] Her last new role was Herodias in Salome by Strauss, performed at La Fenice in Venice in 1969. She appeared there also as Ortrud and Brangäne, conducted by Zubin Mehta.[2] She performed as the Kostelnička in Jenůfa at the Semperoper in Dresden in another production by Herz.[1]

Kostelnička was her last stage role in Leipzig in 1989.[2] She still had a contract for the 1989/90 season, but preferred to retire due to the changes during the Wende period. She was awarded the title Kammersängerin in 1963,[1] and was appointed an honorary member of the Leipzig Opera in 1990 after she retired.[1][2]

Concert

[edit]

Kehl was active as a concert singer. Early in career she performed as an alto soloist with the Thomanerchor. A performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio at the Paulinerkirche in Leipzig was broadcast live on 15 December 1963. Performed by Thomanerchor and the Gewandhausorchester, with Elisabeth Breuel, Peter Schreier and Günther Leib, conducted by Erhard Mauersberger, it became a historic document when the church was demolished. The recording was recovered in 2013.[10]

Teaching and later years

[edit]

From 1979, Kehl taught voice for a decade as professor at the Musikhochschule Leipzig.[1][3] She initiated an opera project in 1996 and was artistic director for Telemann's Don Quichotte auf der Hochzeit des Comacho in a collaboration of the music academies of Leipzig and Berlin and the Leipzig Opera. She became a member of the Sächsische Akademie der Künste in 1996.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

Kehl was married to the actor Friedhelm Eberle [de];[5][3] they lived in Leipzig[1] and had a son.[3] She died on 18 December 2024, at the age of 95.[1][3][5]

Recordings

[edit]

Kehl made recordings for radio and both live and studio recordings with the label Eterna [de; fr]. Some recordings were reissued on CD, including Mercedes in Carmen in a 1960 complete recording with Soňa Červená and Rolf Apreck, conducted by Herbert Kegel,[11] Zenobia in Handel's Radamisto,[2][12] Preziosilla in Verdi's La forza del destino[13] and Princess Eboli in Don Carlos, both in excerpts with Hanne-Lore Kuhse and Martin Ritzmann [de], conducted by Heinz Fricke.[2][14][15] A solo recital entitled Ein Opernabend mit Sigrid Kehl was also published.[16]

Awards

[edit]

Kehl received several awards, including:[1]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Some sources have 1932 as her year of birth.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Sigrid Kehl". Sächsische Akademie der Künste (in German). Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Kutsch, K. J.; Riemens, Leo (2012). "Kehl, Sigrid". Großes Sängerlexikon (in German) (4th ed.). De Gruyter. p. 2348. ISBN 978-3-59-844088-5.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Stimme und Gesicht der Oper Leipzig: Sigrid Kehl ist tot". Leipziger Volkszeitung (in German). 18 December 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b Oehme, Ursula (8 December 2019). ""Ich wollte alles werden, nur keine Opernsängerin!"". Richard Wagner Association Leipzig (in German). Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Oper Leipzig: Star-Sopranistin Sigrid Kehl gestorben". MDR.DE (in German). 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  6. ^ Hoppe, Bernd; Kehl, Sigrid (July 1993). "Reduziert kann ich nicht sein". Orpheus (interview). p. 11.
  7. ^ "Antigone". Grand Théâtre de Genève (in French). Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Jenufa". Grand Théâtre de Genève (in French). Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Vorstellungen mit Sigrid Kehl". Vienna State Opera (in German). Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Fernsehaufzeichnung des Weihnachtsoratoriums aus der Leipziger Universitätskirche vom 15. Dezember 1963 entdeckt" (PDF). Paulinerverein (in German). Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  11. ^ Bizet, Georges; Aderhold, Bruno; Apreck, Rolf; Croonen, Maria; Engert, Ursula; Halévy, Ludovic; Kegel, Herbert; Kehl, Sigrid; Klemm, Wilhelm; Knothe, Dietrich; Lauhöfer, Robert; Leib, Günther; Meilhac, Henri; Neukirch, Harald; Červená, Soňa; Rundfunk-Kinderchor (Leipzig); Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig; Rundfunkchor Leipzig (2005), Carmen Oper in vier Akten ; Gesamtaufnahme in deutscher Sprache (in undetermined language), [Hamburg]: Edel Classics, OCLC 705538879
  12. ^ Handel, George Frideric; Kuhse, Hanne-Lore; Kehl, Sigrid; Apreck, Rolf; Kaphahn, Hellmuth; Süss, Reiner; Leib, Günther; Köbler, Robert; Margraf, Horst-Tanu; Händel-Festpielorchester Halle; Rundfunkchor Leipzig (1998), Radamisto (in German), [Germany]: Berlin Classics, OCLC 811448759
  13. ^ Verdi, Giuseppe; Iordăchescu, Dan; Kehl, Sigrid; Kuhse, Hanne-Lore; Ritzmann, Martin; Zinger, Grigorij Solomonovič; Staatskapelle Berlin; Staatsoper (Berlin). Chor (1965), Die Macht des Schicksals : Opernquerschnitt (in German), Berlin: VEB Deutsche Schallplatten, OCLC 899897774
  14. ^ Verdi, Giuseppe; Kuhse, Hanne-Lore; Kehl, Sigrid; Ritzmann, Martin; Iordăchescu, Dan; Frick, Gottlob; Fricke, Heinz; Staatskapelle Berlin (2009), Don Carlos (in German), Hong Kong: Naxos Digital Services/Berlin Classics, OCLC 704902950
  15. ^ Verdi, Giuseppe; Frick, Gottlob; Kuhse, Hanne-Lore; Ritzmann, Martin; Kehl, Sigrid; Iordăchescu, Dan; Fricke, Heinz; Staatskapelle Berlin (1992), Don Carlos Opernquerschnitt (in German), Berlin: Deutsche Schallplatten, OCLC 1183683339
  16. ^ Kehl, Sigrid; Glahn, Paul; Breul, Elisabeth; Kurth, Günter; Schmitz, Paul; Strauss, Richard; Verdi, Giuseppe; Janáček, Leoš; Wagner, Richard; Gewandhausorchester Leipzig (1970), Ein Opernabend mit Sigrid Kehl (in German), [East] Berlin: Eterna, OCLC 23113180

Further reading

[edit]
  • Sigrid Kehl: Reduziert kann ich nicht sein. Conversation with Sigrid Kehl in Orpheus, July 1993, p. 10–12.
  • Kehl, Sigrid; Sittner, André (2004), [Sigrid Kehl] [André Sittner im Gespräch mit der Sängerin] (in German), OCLC 314974039
  • Ernst, Michael (20 December 2024). "Sigrid Kehl: "Ich kann mich für mein Schicksal nur bedanken"". nmz – neue musikzeitung (in German). Retrieved 20 December 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Sigrid_Kehl&oldid=1265829265"