Hilde Guden Austrian opera singer, soprano Date of Birth: 15.09.1917 Country: Austria

Biography of Hilde Gueden

Hilde Gueden, born Hulda Geiringer on September 15, 1917, in Vienna, was an Austrian opera singer, known for her energetic and expressive performances as a soprano. She was particularly renowned for her interpretations of opera roles by Richard Strauss and Mozart. Gueden received vocal training from Otto Iro, piano instruction from Maria Wetzelsberger, and studied dance at the Vienna Music Academy.

In 1937, Gueden made her debut under the name Hulda Gerin at the Vienna Volksoper, performing in Ralph Benatzky's operetta "Herzen im Schnee." She went on to sing the role of Cherubino in Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro" at the Zurich Opera in 1939. In 1941, renowned Austrian conductor Clemens Krauss invited Gueden to join the Munich State Opera, where she achieved great success. It was during this time that she adopted the stage name Hilde Gueden.

However, due to her Jewish roots, Gueden had to leave the country. Rumors circulated that she narrowly escaped arrest by the Gestapo in Munich, but she managed to obtain a forged passport, which identified her as a Roman Catholic (Polish) woman. This allowed her to avoid arrest and change the course of her destiny.

After the war, Gueden received an invitation from Italian conductor Tullio Serafin to sing the role of Sophie in Richard Strauss' opera "Der Rosenkavalier" in Rome and Florence. From then on, she received ovations in Paris, Milan, London, Glyndebourne, and other cities. Gueden made her debut at the Salzburg Festival in 1946, performing the role of Zerlina in Mozart's "Don Giovanni." In 1947, she began her long collaboration with the Vienna State Opera, where she remained one of its brightest stars until 1973.

In December 1951, Gueden made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Gilda in Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto." In 1953, she portrayed the "first" Anne Trulove in Igor Stravinsky's "The Rake's Progress" at the Metropolitan Opera. In the late 1950s, Gueden shifted from lighter roles to more lyrical ones in her familiar opera productions. For example, she transitioned from Susanna to Countess Almaviva in Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro," Zerlina to Donna Elvira in "Don Giovanni," and Despina to Fiordiligi in "Così fan tutte." She also turned down the role of Musetta in favor of Mimì in "La Bohème" and Nanetta in favor of Alice Ford in Verdi's "Falstaff." Her performances as Violetta in "La traviata," Marguerite in "Faust," and Micaëla in "Carmen" garnered high praise.

Gueden was a versatile singer. In addition to her superb interpretations of operas by Richard Strauss and Mozart, she excelled in operettas. Her portrayal of Rosalinde in "Die Fledermaus" is considered one of her best roles. In the bel canto style, Gueden gained recognition for her performances as Gilda in "Rigoletto" and Adina in "L'elisir d'amore." Furthermore, she achieved success in German Lieder and oratorios.

Hilde Gueden passed away on September 17, 1988, in Klosterneuburg, a small town near Vienna.