Malten, Therese

1855-

 

Prussian opera-singer, especially noted for her representation of Wagnerian roles. She was born in Insterburg, Eastern Prussia, and appeared for the first time as Pamina and Agatha in Dresden. She continued singing the soprano parts in the Italian Opera in Dresden for many years, and was finally given a pension. In 1880 she was chamber-singer to the King of Saxony; in 1882 sang the part of Kundry at Bayreuth to the satisfaction of Wagner, and in 1884 appeared in the same role before King Ludwig at Munich, for which he gave her a gold medal of Arts and Science. In 1882 she accompanied Richter on his successful Wagnerian enterprise, and in 1883 was appointed by Wagner to sing the part of Isolde at Bayreuth, but his death prevented the presentation. In 1886 she sang in Tristan and Siegfried at Richter's concerts, and it is said that her voice was never better than at this time. She appeared in 1896 at the Bristol Festival. Among her roles are Iphigenia; Fidelio; Leonora in Trovatore; Margaret; Goldmark's Queen of Sheba; Fulvia in Hofmann's Arminus; and many Wagnerian roles.