Kappel, Gertrude

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Kappel, Gertrude

Kappel, Gertrude, noted German soprano; b. Halle, Sept. 1, 1884; d. Pullach, April 3, 1971. She studied with Nikisch and Noe at the Leipzig Cons. She made her debut in 1903 at the Hannover Opera, where she was a regular member (until 1924). She also sang at London’s Covent Garden (1912-14; 1924-26) and the Vienna State Opera (1924–29). She was a principal member of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich (1927–31). She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in N.Y. as Isolde on Jan. 16, 1928, and remained a member until 1936; also sang with the San Francisco Opera. She returned to Germany, retiring in 1937. Her finest roles were Isolde and Brünnhilde, but she also was admired for her Senta, Sieglinde, Marschallin, and Elektra.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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