Elisabeth Speiser (Soprano)

Born: October 16, 1940 - Zürich, Switzerland

The Swiss soprano, Elisabeth Speiser, undertook vocal studies with Sylvia Gähwiller in Winterthur and Zürich, then with Margaretha Sparber in Vienna.

Elisabeth Speiser's international career as a concert and oratorio singer commenced in 1960. She has also sung lieder at the festivals of Luzerne, Montreux, Zurich, Berlin, Ludwigsburg, Savonlinna and Helsinki. In her lieder recitals Speiser often collaborated with the pianist Irwin Gage. Together these two musicians have also recorded the songs of 20^th century composers, such as Alban Berg, Arnold Schoenberg and Schreker. Her appearance on the opera stage has been limited, her best known role being Pamina in The Magic Flute, which Speiser sang in Ludwigsburg, Glyndebourne, Staatsoper Berlin, Versailles and Zürich. She has also sung Mélisande, as well as Euridice in Gluck's Orfeo and Euridice with Janet Baker at Glyndebourne. Speiser also has to her credit numerous studio, radio and TV recordings and has been a jury member of several international music competitions.

Elisabeth Speiser made a series of memorable Bach recordings with Helmut Rilling and Rudolf Ewerhart.

Source: University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria (KUG) Website
Contributed by Eric Spicer (July 2001)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Under her name

Soprano

BWV 446, BWV 452, BWV 462, BWV 469, BWV 478, BWV 484, BWV 493, BWV 500-501, BWV 505, BWV 512-517 (w/ Hedwig Bilgram (Orgelpositiv))

Rudolf Ewerhart

Soprano

BWV 204, BWV 209, BWV 211

Helmut Koch

Soprano

BWV 205, BWV 206

Helmuth Rilling

Soprano

BWV 205, BWV 208, BWV 233, BWV 234, BWV 235, BWV 236

Philipp Röhl

Soprano

BWV 244

Links to other Sites

Elisabeth Speiser (Kug)