Maria Jeritza (1887–1982,) born Marie Jedličková, was a Czech dramatic soprano, known for her powerful voice, striking stage presence, and pioneering operatic roles. A leading figure at the Vienna State Opera (1912–34, 1950–53) and the Metropolitan Opera (1921–32, 1951,) she earned the nickname “The Moravian Thunderbolt.”
Born in Brno, Moravia, she trained at the Brno Conservatory before débuting as Elsa in Wagner’s Lohengrin (1910, Olomouc.) Her talent impressed Emperor Franz Josef, securing her a contract at the Imperial Hofoper in Vienna.
Jeritza originated several roles, including Ariadne in Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos (1912,) the Empress in Die Frau ohne Schatten (1919,) and Hariette/Juliette in Korngold’s Die tote Stadt (1920, Hamburg.) She was the first Turandot in the North American premiere of Puccini’s Turandot (1926, Metropolitan Opera.)
Beyond opera, Jeritza starred in the early sound film Großfürstin Alexandra, with music by Franz Lehár. She recorded extensively, with many of her 78-rpm recordings later reissued on CD. Biographies include her Sunlight and Song: A Singer’s Life (1924.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Maria Jeritza
It is hard to describe the thrill of creative joy which the artist feels when the conviction seizes her that at last she has caught the very soul of the character she wishes to portray, in the music and action which reveal it.
—Maria Jeritza
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