Irene Jessner Explained

Irene Jessner (August 28, 1901 – January 10, 1994) was an Austrian-born American soprano and music educator. She began her opera career in Europe in 1930. From 1936 to 1952 she was a principal soprano at the Metropolitan Opera. She became a naturalized American citizen in 1938. While she was particularly associated with the operas of Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner, her repertoire also encompassed works from the Italian and French opera literature. Her most celebrated roles were Chrysthomenis in Elektra, the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier, and Sieglinde in Die Walküre; all parts which she recorded and which she performed both at the Metropolitan Opera and as a guest artist with other organizations. She was a celebrated voice teacher at the University of Toronto from 1952 until her retirement in 1986. She also taught on the faculty of The Royal Conservatory of Music in the 1950s. Several of her pupils had successful careers, including Teresa Stratas. Canadian musicologist Carl Morey described her as "one of the few truly outstanding voice teachers in Canada.”

Early life, education, and career in Europe

The daughter of Arthur and Jenny Jellinek, Irene Jessner was born with the name Irene Jellinek in Vienna, Austria on 28 August 1901. Her father was a prominent physician in Vienna and her mother was the sister of novelist Jakob Wassermann. She originally trained as a pianist at the Wiener Musikakademie (also known as the Vienna Conservatory and now the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna).[1] She then studied singing with Viktor Fuchs at the Neues Wiener Konservatorium.

Jessner made her professional opera debut in 1930 at the Krušnohorské Theatre in Teplice as Elsa in Richard Wagner's Lohengrin. In 1931 she was on the roster of principal artists at the New German Theatre in Prague (now the Prague State Opera). In her early career she had particular success in Czechoslovakia in the title role of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida.[1]

Following her work in Prague, Jessner worked as a guest artist with the Bavarian State Opera and the National Theatre Brno. She also toured Europe in operas and musicals.[1]

Metropolitan Opera

Jessner came to the United States after being invited by Edward Johnson to become a principal artist at to the Metropolitan Opera ("the Met").[1] She became a naturalized American citizen on July 8, 1938,[2] and was committed to the Met for sixteen consecutive seasons. She made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House on December 21, 1936 as Ortlinde in Wagner's Die Walküre.[3] Later that week she portrayed Hansel to Queena Mario's Gretel in Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel.[4] [5]

Other roles Jessner performed with the Met included Alice Ford in Falstaff,[6] Amelia in Simon Boccanegra, Chrysothemis in Richard Strauss's Elektra,[7] Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro (on tour to Boston),[8] Desdemona in Otello,[9] [1] [10] Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni,[11] [12] Elsa in Lohengrin,[13] [14] Elisabeth in Tannhäuser,[15] [16] Eurudice in Orfeo ed Euridice,[17] Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,[18] the First Lady in The Magic Flute,[19] [20] a Flower Maiden in Parsifal,[21] [22] Freia in Das Rheingold,[23] the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier,[24] [25] [1] [26] Sieglinde in Die Walküre, and the title role in Tosca.[27] [28] Her final performance with the Met was on February 1, 1952 as Gutrune in Götterdämmerung.

While working at the Met, Jessner married Arthur Ivan de Norby on March 15, 1941 in Manhattan.[29]

Other performances

Jessner had a reputation as an outstanding performer in the operas of Richard Strauss, and was particularly celebrated in the roles of Chrysthomenis in Elektra and the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier. She sang both of these parts as a guest artist in multiple places. She performed Chrysthomenis at Los Angeles's Shrine Auditorium (1938),[30] the San Francisco Opera (1938, with Rose Pauly in the title role and Kerstin Thorborg as Klytaemnestra),[31] [32] the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1947),[33] and in a television version of Elektra made with the NBC Opera Theatre in 1949.[34] She performed the Marschillan at the Chicago Auditorium (1946),[35] the Cincinnati Opera (1948)[36] and the New York City Opera (1949).[37]

Jessner's other roles at the San Francisco Opera included Eva in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1938, with Friedrich Schorr as Hans Sachs),[31] and the roles of Sieglinde in Die Walküre and Alice Ford in Falstaff which she performed with the company during World War II. In 1939 she portrayed Sieglinde with the Saint Louis Grand Opera.[38] In 1942 she appeared as a guest artist in a season of operas at the Teatro Colón; performing in operas by Mozart and Wagner.[39] In 1946 she gave a recital of German lieder at The Town Hall.[40] In 1949 she performed at the Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.[41]

Recordings

Jessner made a complete recording of the role of Chrysothemis in Richard Strauss's Elektra with the New York Philharmonic which was released in 1949 by Columbia Records. Also for Columbia, she recorded the third act of Die Walküre with the Metropolitan Opera chorus and orchestra in 1946; singing the roles of both Sieglinde and Ortlinde. She also recorded songs by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for RCA Victor. Some of her recordings that were originally made for the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts have become available on disc, including Met performances of Elektra and Der Rosenkavalier.[1]

Teaching career and later life

Jessner moved to Canada after being appointed to the faculty of The Royal Conservatory of Music in the early 1950s. Subsequently she joined the voice faculty of the University of Toronto (UT) in 1952. There she had a lengthy career as celebrated voice teacher that lasted more than three decades. Many of her students went on to have successful performance careers; including tenors Léonard Bilodeau and Mark DuBois; bass-baritone Maurice Brown; contralto Portia White; and sopranos Mary Lou Fallis, Lois McDonall, Roxolana Roslak, Teresa Stratas, Lilian Sukis, Heather Thomson, Riki Turofsky, and Jeannette Zarou. She retired at the end of the 1985-1986 academic year.[1]

In honor of Jessner's retirement, a special gala concert was given by her former voice students on 3 November 1986 at the UT. The UT music faculty established a music scholarship in her name. Following the death of her husband, Arthur de Nordy, she lived in the residence of her former student, Mark DuBois.[1]

Jessner died on January 10, 1994 in Toronto, Ontario.[1]

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: Irene Jessner. The Canadian Encyclopedia. George. Kidd. Betty Nygaard. King. October 9, 2007.
  2. U.S., Naturalization Records, 1840-1957 for Irene Jellinek, California District Court, Roll 050, Declarations of Intention 141-142; No. 86905
  3. News: Wagner Gives Jubilant Start to Metropolitan Opera Year; 'Horseshoe Glamour' Returns. December 22, 1936. 2. The Christian Science Monitor.
  4. News: The Metropolitan's First Week. Opera News. 5. December 7, 1936.
  5. News: The Metropolitan Season Opens. Pitts Sanborn. The Christian Science Monitor. December 29, 1936. 29. 28. 12.
  6. News: Falstaff is Repeated. The New York Times. January 19, 1939. 23.
  7. News: ELEKTRA' REVIVED AT METROPOLITAN: Rose Pauly, Who Sang Music of Part With Philharmonic, Scores Success in Opera OCCASION IS HER DEBUT Miss Thorborg Also in CastPuccini's 'Gianni Schicchi' Precedes Strauss Work Opening Passage Conclusive Emotion Main Consideration Original Treatment of Part Interpretation Has Authority. Olin Downes. The New York Times. January 8, 1938. 18.
  8. Web site: Le Nozze di Figaro: Metropolitan Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts, Thu, March 27, 1941. Metropolitan Opera Archives. August 13, 2024.
  9. News: OPERA IN REVIEW: Carron and Jessner Are Heard in Verdi's 'OtelloRosenkavalier' Is Given in Afternoon Rosenkavalier' at Metropolitan. The New York Times. February 6, 1938. 44.
  10. News: GRACE MOORE STIRS THRONG AT OPERA: Star of Two Stages Returns to Metropolitan as Mimi in Puccini's 'La Boheme' A DELIGHTFUL PRODUCTION Bruno Landi as Rodolfo Makes an Excellent ImpressionOthers in the Cast A Personal Matured Voice Musetta is Amusing Otello' Is Repeated Salvador Ley, Pianist, Heard. Olin Downes. The New York Times. January 16, 1938. 42.
  11. News: Jessner in Don Giovanni. Olin Downes. The New York Times. February 10, 1938. 16.
  12. News: DON GIOVANNI' AT OPERA: Metropolitan Enters Second Half of Season With Performance. The New York Times. January 20, 1942. 22.
  13. News: LOHENGRIN' IS PRESENTED: Lauritz Melchior Sings Title Role at Metropolitan. The New York Times. Dec 8, 1938. 34.
  14. News: THE OPERA: Lohengrin. The New York Times. December 26, 1937. 36.
  15. News: SPECIAL MATINEES OF WAGNER BEGUN: 'Tannhaeuser' Opens Cycle at Metropolitan With Janssen in Role of Wolfram IRENE JESSNER HAS PART Sings Music of Elisabeth in Place of Lotte Lehmann-- Melchior Is Heard. Olin Downes. The New York Times. February 4, 1939. 11.
  16. News: Tannhauser' Opens Week's Bill of Met Tomorrow: New York Sets Brought Along for All Operas. Albert Goldberg. Chicago Daily Tribune. May 5, 1946. E3.
  17. News: ORFEO' IS REVIVED AT METROPOLITAN: Kerstin Thorborg Sings the Title Role of Gluck Opera That Dates From 1762 TOSCANINI'S DEVICES CUT Aria and Trio He Inserted in Work When He Conducted It Here Are Omitted Break With Tradition Same Version Used Here Voice Ideal for Music Ballet Arranged Uniquely Ascent From Hades Melchior in 'Lohengrin' Hansel and Gretel' Performance. Olin Downes. The New York Times. November 27, 1938. 48.
  18. News: METROPOLITAN OPERA SEASON OPENS SATURDAY: 'Die Meistersinger' to Be First Production. Chicago Daily Tribune. November 26, 1939. sw4.
  19. News: BENZELL, MELTON SING 'MAGIC FLUTE': Soprano Takes Role for First Time at the Metropolitan-- Paul Breisach Conducts A Meritorious Reading Pinza Is the Sarastro. Olin Downes. The New York Times. January 6, 1945. 16.
  20. News: Performance of 'Magic Flute' Opera Heard by 3,500 High School Students. The New York Times. January 30, 1943. 10.
  21. News: 'PARSIFAL' OFFERED AT METROPOLITAN: Sixth Matinee Performance of Wagner Cycle--Title Role Sung by Melchior BODANZKY IS CONDUCTOR Kirsten Flagstad Appears in the Part of Kundry--Vogel Interprets Klingsor Season's Final 'Tosca' Given.. Olin Downes. The New York Times. March 9, 1939. 17.
  22. News: PARSIFAL' IS SUNG AT METROPOLITAN: Ralf Has Title Role, Kerstin Thorborg Is Kundry in First Performance of Season. Noel Straus. The New York Times. March 7, 1946. 32.
  23. News: RHEINGOLD' HEARD AT METROPOLITAN: First Performance of Special Wagner Cycle Brings Out a Large Audience JULIUS HUEHN AS WOTAN Takes Place of Schorr, Who Is Ill -- Kerstin Thorborg in Cast -- Leinsdorf Directs. Olin Downes. The New York Times. February 10, 1943. 28.
  24. News: Rosenkavalier' Is Given. Ross Parmenter. The New York Times. December 18, 1941. 39.
  25. News: JESSNER AS MARSCHALLIN: Makes First Appearance of the Season in 'Rosenkavalier'. The New York Times. March 6, 1945. 19.
  26. News: RUDOLF CONDUCTS OPERA BY STRAUSS: His 'Rosenkavalier' Reading Is a Hit at Metropolitan -- Irene Jessner in Lead. Howard Taubman. The New York Times. December 5, 1947. 31.
  27. News: Gigli sings in Tosca. Olin Downes. The New York Times. January 28, 1939. 10.
  28. News: THE OPERA IN REVIEW: Jessner, Tibbett and Kullman Are Heard in Puccini's 'Tosca'--'Tannhaeuser,' With Rose Pauly, Sung Pauly Sings in 'Tannhaeuser'. The New York Times. December 17, 1939. 48.
  29. Irene Jessner in the New York, New York, Index to Marriage Licenses, 1908-1910, 1938-1940, Certificate Number 3099
  30. News: Rose Pauly Triumphs as Elektra at Shrine. Edwin Schallert. Los Angeles Times. November 11, 1938.
  31. News: Musical Attractions. The California Daily Bruin. Albert J. Slokovsky. 2. October 18, 1938. University of California, Los Angeles.
  32. News: OPERA IN FRISCO. The New York Times. September 4, 1938. 104.
  33. News: Soloists, Guest Conductors for Symphony Listed. Chicago Daily Tribune. November 16, 1947. f13.
  34. News: SPECIAL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS FILL RADIO-TV TODAY: Barrymore to Play Role of Scrooge Again. Larry Wolters. Chicago Daily Tribune. December 25, 1949. N6.
  35. News: LONG TIME SINCE 'ROSENKAVALIER' BUT WORTH WAIT: Szell, Stevens, Steber Share Honors. Claudia Cassidy. Chicago Daily Tribune. May 12, 1946. 25.
  36. News: Cincinnati Opera Opens June 27. Chicago Daily Tribune. June 13, 1948. D7.
  37. News: Jessner Sings With City Opera. The New York Times. October 15, 1949. 12.
  38. News: St. Louis Casts. Chicago Daily Tribune. April 30, 1939. E3.
  39. News: Concerts-Opera: Demand Big In S. A. for Yanquis. Ray Josephs. 145. 5. January 7, 1942. 148.
  40. News: RECITAL BOW MADE BY IRENE JESSNER: Metropolitan Opera Soprano for 10 Years Gives Lieder Program at Town Hall. R. L.. The New York Times. November 10, 1946. 60.
  41. News: Ravinia's First Week Programs Are Announced. Chicago Daily Tribune. June 19, 1949. H1.

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