Never Sang for Hitler
The Life and Times of Lotte Lehmann, 1888–1976

Both a narrative of Lehmann's life and an analysis of the artist and society.

Michael H. Kater (Author)

9781107675049, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 June 2014

414 pages
23.4 x 15.6 x 2.1 cm, 0.58 kg

'… it not only rivals the type of research-driven tour de force we have come to expect of Kater, but it is also a labor of love. There is no way for the author to hide his admiration for Lehmann's talent, his wonder at her larger-than-life persona, and even at times his disappointment in her professional and personal choices. Kater has once again managed to amaze us, and we can only await with eager anticipation his next magnum opus.' The Journal of Central European History

Lotte Lehmann ranks among the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. She was a favorite of Richard Strauss, and also had a famous encounter with Hermann Göring, in which he claimed to want to make her the foremost singer in Nazi Germany. By the time of her final performance in 1951, she was considered one of the finest singing actresses of all time. Rather than a traditional biography, this book is both a descriptive narrative of Lehmann's life and a critical analysis of the interconnections of the artist and society. Kater describes the varying phases of Lehmann's life, as well as the sociocultural settings in which she finds herself - whether in the Wilhemine Empire, First Austrian Republic, Nazi Germany, or the United States. Kater's use of Lehmann's personal and other papers reshapes much of what is known about her life and career.

Part I. Childhood and Apprentice Years: 1. Perleberg and Berlin
2. Coming out in Hamburg
Part II. Rise to Fame in Vienna: 3. From empire to republic
4. A prima donna in the Staatsoper
5. Private times
Part III. Climax and Crises: 6. New challenges in Vienna
7. Professional life and private affairs
8. America
Part IV. Between Third Reich Seduction and American Opportunity: 9. Lotte Lehmann, the lion, and the Third Reich
10. New York
Part V. Between Touring and Teaching, 1940–50: 11. Frances Holden, Santa Barbara and the new world
12. Professional transformations
Part VI. Triumphs and Burdens of Old Age, 1951–76: 13. The Music Academy of the West
14. Master pupils
15. At dusk
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Gender studies: women [JFSJ1], Social & cultural history [HBTB], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], European history [HBJD], Opera [AVGC9], Music [AV]