Author: Lilli Lehmann

Lilli Lehman, born in 1848, spent her childhood in Prague learning how to sing from her mother Marie Loewe, a former leading soprano and long time personal friend of the controversial composer, Richard Wagner. Loewe instilled in Lilli an uncommon sense of self-discipline through daily singing lessons, and took great care in introducing her daughter to current notabilities. At the age of sixteen, Lehman debuted as the First Boy in Mozart’s The Magic Flute. In 1870 she joined the Berlin Royal Opera, and was invited to sing in the premiere of Wagner’s complete Ring cycle at the first Bayreuth Festival under Wagner’s direct guidance. In 1889 she returned to Germany after four years in New York, but was met with a ban of her operatic performances until 1891 by the Kaiser as a penalty for having overstayed her leave. Her triumphs as an international soprano led to a wide range of memorable roles, at least 170 roles in 120 operas.