Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient
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Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient (December 6, 1804–January 26, 1860), was a German operatic singer.
Professional life
Her first role was at the age of fifteen as Aricia in Schiller's translation of Racine's Phèdre, and in 1821 she was received with so much enthusiasm as Pamina in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte that her future career in opera was assured.
Meanwhile she had maintained her popularity at Dresden and elsewhere. She made her first Paris appearance in 1830, and sang in London in 1833 and 1837.
Schröder-Devrient created several important opera roles, including Leonore in Beethoven's Fidelio in 1829. Richard Wagner saw her in this role when he was 16, and was struck by her artistry. She went on to create several roles for him: and Wagner's Adriano in Rienz, Senta in Der fliegende Holländer and Venus in Tannhäuser.
As a singer she combined a rare quality of tone with dramatic intensity of expression, which was as remarkable on the concert platform as in opera.
Personal life
Schröder-Devrient was born in Hamburg, the daughter of the actress Sophie Schröder and the tenor Friedrich Schröder.In 1823 she married Karl Devrient, but separated from him in 1828. In 1847 she married a Mr. Döring, an officer, but divorced him in 1848. She took part in the Revolution of 1848 and was later imprisoned. In 1850 she married Heinrich von Bock, a wealthy land owner, but left him in 1852.
She died in Coburg, Germany on January 26 1860.
References
- Glümer, E. von. (1862). Erinnerungen an Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient. Leipzig.
- Wolzogen, A. von (1863). Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient. Leipzig.
External links
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