Kerstin Thorborg
Encyclopedia
Kerstin Thorborg
Born in Venjan
, Sweden, the contralto Kerstin Thorborg was one of the best dramatic Wagnerian singers in the two decades between 1930 and 1950. She made her debut in 1924 singing the difficult role of Ortrud. Eight years later, the famed conductor Bruno Walter
engaged her for the Städtische Oper in Berlin and became her mentor. Although a contralto, Thorborg's upper register was so secure that she sang numerous mezzo-soprano roles, including Venus
, Kundry
, Fricka, Waltraute, and Magdalena. She was especially known for her searingly beautiful Brangäne
, which fortunately was preserved on record. She also appears to wonderful advantage in the live recording of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde
, with Charles Kullmann, under Bruno Walter, at the Vienna Musikverein in 1936. In 1938, to escape the Nazis, she made her home in the United States, singing various roles at the Met
. She returned to her native Sweden in 1950, after her retirement.
By all accounts, Thorborg was a magnificent actor with great stage presence. In addition, she was endowed with a beautifully steady and intense tone.
Born in Venjan
Venjan
Venjan is a locality situated in Mora Municipality, Dalarna County, Sweden with 307 inhabitants in 2005....
, Sweden, the contralto Kerstin Thorborg was one of the best dramatic Wagnerian singers in the two decades between 1930 and 1950. She made her debut in 1924 singing the difficult role of Ortrud. Eight years later, the famed conductor Bruno Walter
Bruno Walter
Bruno Walter was a German-born conductor. He is considered one of the best known conductors of the 20th century. Walter was born in Berlin, but is known to have lived in several countries between 1933 and 1939, before finally settling in the United States in 1939...
engaged her for the Städtische Oper in Berlin and became her mentor. Although a contralto, Thorborg's upper register was so secure that she sang numerous mezzo-soprano roles, including Venus
Tannhäuser (opera)
Tannhäuser is an opera in three acts, music and text by Richard Wagner, based on the two German legends of Tannhäuser and the song contest at Wartburg...
, Kundry
Parsifal
Parsifal is an opera in three acts by Richard Wagner. It is loosely based on Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival, the 13th century epic poem of the Arthurian knight Parzival and his quest for the Holy Grail, and on Chrétien de Troyes' Perceval, the Story of the Grail.Wagner first conceived the work...
, Fricka, Waltraute, and Magdalena. She was especially known for her searingly beautiful Brangäne
Tristan und Isolde
Tristan und Isolde is an opera, or music drama, in three acts by Richard Wagner to a German libretto by the composer, based largely on the romance by Gottfried von Straßburg. It was composed between 1857 and 1859 and premiered in Munich on 10 June 1865 with Hans von Bülow conducting...
, which fortunately was preserved on record. She also appears to wonderful advantage in the live recording of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde
Das Lied von der Erde
Das Lied von der Erde is a large-scale work for two vocal soloists and orchestra by the Austrian composer Gustav Mahler...
, with Charles Kullmann, under Bruno Walter, at the Vienna Musikverein in 1936. In 1938, to escape the Nazis, she made her home in the United States, singing various roles at the Met
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
. She returned to her native Sweden in 1950, after her retirement.
By all accounts, Thorborg was a magnificent actor with great stage presence. In addition, she was endowed with a beautifully steady and intense tone.