Never Sang for Hitler The Life and Times of Lotte Lehmann, 18881976 [Hardcover]

Both a narrative of Lehmann's life and an analysis of the artist and society.Lotte Lehmann ranks among the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. During the course of her career, she became famous for the unique quality of her lyric soprano. Rather than a traditional biography, this book aims to be both a descriptive narrative of Lehmanns life and a critical analysis of the interconnections of the artist and society.Lotte Lehmann ranks among the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. During the course of her career, she became famous for the unique quality of her lyric soprano. Rather than a traditional biography, this book aims to be both a descriptive narrative of Lehmanns life and a critical analysis of the interconnections of the artist and society.Lotte Lehmann ranks among the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. She was a favorite of Richard Strauss, and over her lifetime became the friend of other famous men: Bruno Walter, Arturo Toscanini and Thomas Mann. She had a famous encounter with Hermann G?ring, in which he claimed to want to make her the foremost singer in Nazi Germany. By the time of her final performance in 1951, she was considered one of the finest singing actresses of all time. Rather than a traditional biography, this book aims to be both a descriptive narrative of Lehmanns life and a critical analysis of the interconnections of the artist and society. Kater describes the varying phases of Lehmanns life, as well as the sociocultural settings in which she finds herself  whether in the Wilhemine Empire, First Austrian Republic, Nazi Germany, or the United States. Katers use of Lehmanns personal and other papers reshapes much of what is known about her life and career.Part I. Childhood and Apprentice Years: 1. Perleberg and Berlin; 2. Coming out in Hamburg; Part II. Rise to Fame in Vienna: 3. From empire to republic; 4. A prima donna in the Staatsoper; 5. Private times; Part III. Climax and Crises: 6. Newls)