Elise Wiedermann | |
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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]