Elise Wiedermann | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Vienna, Austria | 31 August 1851
Died | 24 July 1922 Windsor, Victoria, Australia | (aged 70)
Genres | Opera |
Occupations | Soprano, singing teacher |
Elise Wiedermann (31 August 1851 – 24 July 1922) was a Viennese-born soprano who performed and taught singing in Melbourne, Australia from 1883.
Elise Wiedermann was born in Vienna, Austria on 31 August 1851 to Elise (née Aschinger) and Carl Wiedermann.[1] She studied singing at the Vienna Conservatorium, where she was taught by Mathilde Marchesi[2] and was awarded laureate in 1873.[1]
Wiedermann's first professional performances were with the Komische Oper and Carltheater in Vienna, the latter under the baton of Franz von Suppé.[3] She subsequently performed in Zürich in 1875 and then at the Court Theatre Braunschweig for five years.[3]
She became engaged to Viennese-born Carl Pinschof in 1880.[1] He migrated to Melbourne where she followed in 1883. The couple were married on 19 August 1883 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Hawthorn.[4] After her marriage, the Austro-Hungarian government forced her to give up singing in public or for remuneration[1] and she could perform at private events only.
She and her husband became patrons of music and art, supporting the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music founded by George Marshall-Hall[5] and opening their home, "Studley Hall" in Kew for musical performances.[1] Recognising the talent of Nellie Melba, Wiedemann provided her with a letter of introduction to her teacher, Mathilde Marchesi.[2]
Her students included Florence Austral, Evelyn Scotney and Elsa Stralia.[2]
Wiedermann died on 24 July 1922 at her home, "Lewisham", Lewisham Road, Windsor.[6] Survived by her husband and three daughters, she was buried on 26 July in the Lutheran section of Booroondara Cemetery.[7]
The chancellor of Melbourne University, Sir John MacFarland, unveiled a tablet in her memory in Melba Hall in 1923.[8]