Hempel, Frieda

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German soprano.

From the description of Typewritten letters signed (3), autograph letters signed (2), and 2 photographs (one signed, one inscribed), dated : New York, 1950-51, to Harry Harkness Flagler (one is to Edward Roeder, Flagler's secretary), 1950 Mar. 8. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270665577

From the description of Autograph letter signed, dated : Sils-Maria (Engadine, Switzerland) July 23 [n.y.], to Breitkopf & Härtel in Berlin. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270665575

Opera singer.

From the description of Lady Harriet in "Martha" : photograph, n.d. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122332834

Frieda Hempel was a German soprano with the Metropolitan Opera. From 1918-1926, she was married to William B. Kahn, who continued as her business manager after their divorce.

From the description of Frieda Hempel-William Kahn papers, 1863-1961. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122486370

From the guide to the Frieda Hempel-William Kahn papers, 1863-1961, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)

Frieda Hempel was a German soprano.

Since Hempel's life is the subject of a full-length annotated autobiography ( My golden age of singing, annotated by William R. Moran, with a prologue and epilogue by Elizabeth Johnston, 1998) and numerous articles in reference works, only a brief summary of her career is provided here.

Frieda Hempel was born in Leipzig, June 26, 1885. She began her studies on piano in 1900 when she ntered the Leipzig Conservatory, but switched to voice. From 1902-5 she studied singing with Frau Nicklass-Kempner. She made her professional debut in Breslau, and her Berlin Opera debut in 1905. From 1905-7 she was at the Court Opera in Schwerin, and from 1907-12 she was a member fo the Royal Opera in Berlin. From 1912-19 she was on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera, where she made her debut as the Queen in Les Huguenots on December 27, 1912. In 1920, on the centenary of Jenny Lind's birth, Hempel began a series of recitals in which she impersonated Jenny Lind. These concerts, in which she wore clothing from the time of Jenny Lind, were so successful that she continued to give them as well as other recitals until her retirement in 1951.

Frieda Hempel married William B. Kahn in 1918. Although they divorced in 1926, he continued to be her business manager and friend.

Frieda Hempel died in Berlin on October 7, 1955.

From the guide to the The Frieda Hempel collection of manuscripts, cadenzas, and annotated publications, ca. 1910-ca. 1940, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Hempel, Frieda, 1885-1955. [Autographed concert programme, 1918 March 16, San Francisco, for Harold G. Rugg] / Frieda Hempel. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Hempel, Frieda, 1885-1955. Autograph letter signed, dated : Sils-Maria (Engadine, Switzerland) July 23 [n.y.], to Breitkopf & Härtel in Berlin. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Hempel, Frieda, 1885-1955. Lady Harriet in "Martha" : photograph, n.d. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Hempel, Frieda, 1885-1955. Frieda Hempel-William Kahn papers, 1863-1961. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Belle Brown Collection, 1865-1912 Library of Congress. Music Division
creatorOf The Frieda Hempel collection of manuscripts, cadenzas, and annotated publications, ca. 1910-ca. 1940 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn Nicolas Slonimsky Collection, 1873-1997, (bulk 1920-1990) Library of Congress. Music Division
creatorOf Hempel, Frieda, 1885-1955. Typewritten letters signed (3), autograph letters signed (2), and 2 photographs (one signed, one inscribed), dated : New York, 1950-51, to Harry Harkness Flagler (one is to Edward Roeder, Flagler's secretary), 1950 Mar. 8. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Scrapbooks, [ca. 1840-1955]. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Ahlquist, Abel. Jenny Lind Collection, 1778-1977, bulk ca. 1850-1977. New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn Brown, Belle. Belle Brown collection, 1865-1912. Library of Congress
referencedIn Moldenhauer Archives at the Library of Congress, circa 1000-circa 1990 Library of Congress. Music Division
creatorOf Frieda Hempel-William Kahn papers, 1863-1961 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
creatorOf Hempel, Frieda, 1885-1955. The Frieda Hempel collection of manuscripts, cadenzas, and annotated publications. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Richard Aldrich papers, 1842-1956 (inclusive), 1883-1938 (bulk). Houghton Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aldrich, Richard, 1863-1937 person
associatedWith Berlioz, Hector, 1803-1869. person
associatedWith Breitkopf & Härtel, corporateBody
correspondedWith Brown, Belle person
correspondedWith Brown, Belle. person
associatedWith Cohen family family
associatedWith Damrosch, Walter, 1862-1950. person
associatedWith Eastman, George, 1854-1932. person
associatedWith Flagler, Harry Harkness, person
associatedWith Flotow, Friedrich von, 1812-1883. person
associatedWith Juilliard, Auguste, 1836-1919. person
associatedWith Kahn family. family
associatedWith Kahn, William B person
associatedWith Kahn, William B. person
associatedWith Mary Flagler Cary Music Collection (Pierpont Morgan Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Moldenhauer, Hans. person
associatedWith Naumberg, Walter Wehle, 1867-1959. person
associatedWith Rockefeller, John D. (John Davison), 1839-1937. person
associatedWith Rugg, Harold Goddard, 1883-1957. person
associatedWith Sembrich, Marcella, 1858-1935. person
associatedWith Slonimsky, Nicolas, 1894-1995 person
associatedWith Verdi, Giuseppe, 1813-1901. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Peace
World politics
Occupation
Sopranos (Singers)
Activity

Person

Birth 1885-06-26

Death 1955-10-07

Americans

German

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