Martha Mödl (March 22, 1912, in Nuremberg – December 17, 2001, in Stuttgart) was a German soprano, and later a mezzo-soprano. She specialized in large dramatic roles, most notably Wagnerian roles such as Isolde, Kundry, and Brünnhilde. Although she lacked the vocal security and ease of Kirsten Flagstad and Birgit Nilsson, particularly in the upper register, Mödl was celebrated for her highly individualized interpretations, exceptional acting abil...
more
Martha Mödl (March 22, 1912, in Nuremberg – December 17, 2001, in Stuttgart) was a German soprano, and later a mezzo-soprano. She specialized in large dramatic roles, most notably Wagnerian roles such as Isolde, Kundry, and Brünnhilde. Although she lacked the vocal security and ease of Kirsten Flagstad and Birgit Nilsson, particularly in the upper register, Mödl was celebrated for her highly individualized interpretations, exceptional acting ability, and intense stage presence.
Mödl worked as a book-keeper and secretary in Nuremberg, then, at the age of 28, she began vocal studies at the Conservatory of her home town. Having made her debut as Hansel in Remscheid in 1942, then adding Cherubino, Mignon and Azucena to her roles. Moving to Düsseldorf, she began singing Dorabella, Venus, Octavian, Eboli, Carmen and Klytemnestra. She was then invited to sing Carmen at Covent Garden in 1949 (returning for the Ring in 1959, Klytemnestra in 1966 and Die schweigsame Frau in 1972), and joined...
less
