Katharina Klafsky

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Katharina Klafsky (September 19, 1855 – September 22, 1896) was a Hungarian operatic singer.

Klafsky was born at Szent-János, Wieselburg, of humble parents. Being employed at Vienna as a nurserymaid, her fine soprano voice led to her being engaged as a chorus singer, and she was given good lessons in music. By 1882 she became well-known in Wagnerian roles at the Leipzig theatre, and she increased her reputation at other German musical centres.

In 1892 she appeared in London, and had a great success in Wagner's operas, notably as Brunnhilde and as Isolde, her dramatic as well as vocal gifts being of an exceptional order. She sang with the Damrosch Opera Company in America in 1895, but died of brain disease in 1896.

Klafsky was married to the conductor Otto Lohse.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.