Selma Kurz

Selma Kurz, born on October 15, 1874, in Biala, Austria-Hungary, was an Austrian soprano. Raised in a humble Jewish family, she studied with Johannes Ress in Vienna and made her debut in Mignon at the Hamburg Stadttheater on May 12, 1895. Gustav Mahler invited Kurz to join the Vienna Imperial and Royal Court Opera in 1898, where she became known for her coloratura technique in roles in Lucia di Lammermoor and La traviata. Kurz's career flourished, and by the age of 29, she was named Imperial and Royal Court Singer. She performed extensively at the Vienna Hofoper, including notable roles like Mimi in La bohème and Saffi in Der Zigeunerbaron. Her final performance was as Rosina in The Barber of Seville on February 12, 1927. Kurz passed away on May 10, 1933.