What a singer SHE must have been!!!!! And a true contralto, the rarest singing bird of all!

Singing like this at 68 years old? Wow! This is sensational. My mother (still alive at 98) saw Schumann-Heink in Long Beach, CA in 1929, about the time this was recorded. My grandmother knew she was a great opera singer and insisted on taking my mother to see her.

She's 68 here, and older than the music she's singing: Schumann-Heink was born in 1861, and Das Rheingold was premiered in 1869.

Can't believe it…With these voice at the age of 68!

Fantastic singing! Phenomenal...and all at 68 years old!

100 years ago! And we are still looking for singers as this today. There is a reason ... there is no future without a grasp on the past ... Whither??

Dear Wotan: I have now listened to at least 6 versions of this - and Ms Ilsovay wins my heart. However, this is amazing, Especially for her age - it gives me courage on a personal level. And even if you didn't know she was 68 it would still be fabulous singing and musicianship. Thanks for all these uploads. Rowna

Holy smoke, what a voice, and what a singer. I had no idea what she sounded like though I knew her by reputation. Thank you so much for this.

The best Erda I have ever heard. Clear, strong tone, terrific chest voice and superb diction. I wish I could have heard this live.

I'm not sure I have ever heard a recording of Madame Schumann-Heink that captures the singular beauty and grandeur of her singing as well as this recording does. Thanks for sharing.

really strong sensation to listen to this voice and interpretation.....really strong beautiful thanks a lot

Magnificent a vocal wonder.

Überwältigend. Vielen Dank dafür!

Like so many great legendary singers, Ernestine Schumann-Heink made her American debut in Chicago. So did Jean de Reszke, Edward de Reszke and Emma Eames in a performance of Lohengrin. It didn't even receive a great review. The review can be accessed in the Metropolitan Opera Archives.

Sie hat eine großartige Altstimme. Sie war mir bisher unbekannt. Ernestine Schumann -Heink sang auch mit 68 Jahren noch großartig. Die große Prager Altistin erinnert mich an Kathleen Ferrier. 1861 kam sie in Prag zur Welt.

I am big fan and i am from India 🇮🇳

The perfect gravity and imposing command for this role.

Un Contralto lucente. Omogeneità assoluta di suono. E perfetta nell’interpretazione.

phenomenal

she was so cool

Magnificent!

She IS Erda.

And she was told "With such a face, and no personality at all, ho home and buy a sewing machine" Vinna Court Opera did not broke her dream!!!!! She is the most amazing voice I've ever heard

the power of desire

QUEEN!!!!!

Vim parar aqui pelo livro de Napoleon Hill

!!!!!!!!!! *******

Good thing she made a electrical recording.

Many mistakes in my writting, sorry but she sings as.. An angel

Not enough time on some of the dramatic moments on the part of the conductor but my God is she wonderful.

pretty

They said to her "you cant be an opera performer." they didn't even listen to her.. Because her clothes not looking fine... at vienna palace opera

It always seems to me that singers of this era (from the earliest recordings around the beginning of the 20th century to perhaps around this time, the late 30s) sing with far less vibrato than singers nowadays. I'm not an expert, so I would love to hear reactions from knowledgeable singers and teachers of singing.

In general I heartily dislike Wagner, but..this is amazing! And she came from Bohemia the land of my ancestors when it was still ruled by civilised Austria.