Born: 15 June 1872 or 1870, Germany
Died: 22 February 1932
Country most active: International
Also known as: NA
The following is republished from the Library of Congress. This piece falls under under public domain, as copyright does not apply to “any work of the U.S. Government” where “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties” (See, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 105).
The great German dramatic soprano Johanna Gadski began her career at a popular Berlin summer opera in 1889 as a soubrette, singing a decidedly flippant repertoire: operetta and Gilbert and Sullivan. After her voice developed further, Walter Damrosch engaged Gadski for a tour in 1895–1896, and the Metropolitan Opera hired her for its 1898–1899 season. She remained at the Met until the United States entered World War I in 1917. Gadski was cast in heroic Wagnerian roles as well as in Italian works. She returned to the United States as the head of her own German troupe from 1929 to 1932. Her voice was not exceptional, but it served the music well and honorably.