Wigmore Hall 1901-2001 A Celebration

There have been special concerts to celebrate the centennial of this fine, intimate concert hall, and now this wonderful book. There are many memories about the famous artists who have performed in Wigmore. Lehmann didn't sing there, but she taught master classes there and that is what is remembered.

William Lyne, Manager of the Wigmore, recalls his initial days there as Assistant Manager. "My introduction to Lieder had been through the recordings of Lotte Lehmann and Elisabeth Schumann. Lotte Lehmann was still alive but had long stopped singing. Nevertheless, I had always hoped that she would return to Australia [his home], which she had toured in the past, maybe for master classes; then I would at least see and hear her. The very first performances I managed in my new post at the Wigmore were Lotte Lehmann master classes! At these classes, there were twelve in all, Lotte Lehmann intoned the songs and arias she was teaching; tenor, soprano, bass, mezzo, it did not matter, in fact I suspected that she relished the opportunity to perform arias such as Don José's 'Flower Song' from Carmen. At one lesson on her most famous role, the Marschalin in Der Rosenkavalier, she broke into full voice and the whole audience burst into applause. Lotte Lehmann returned two years later; this second set of classes introduced both Janet Baker and Grace Brumbry, the latter gave a recital when the classes had finished. I know that Dame Janet was not very happy about the classes but I recall that she contributed a memorable and moving performance of Schumann's Frauenliebe und -leben."

Jacqueline Faith, one of the Friends of Wigmore Hall, wrote as follows:

"In 1959-60 during the unrepeatable series of Lotte Lehmann's master classes, I still vividly remember a moment of absolute silence following Madame Lehmann's brief demonstration to the three young singers on-stage of the phrase from the final Trio of Der Rosenkavalier -- 'ich weiss' auch nichts, gar nichts.' I had never before heard that work, although many of the audience had, but we were all part of the deeply-felt silent moment of sheer emotion which greeted her short utterance -- an inaudible lump in all throats and a missed beat of many hearts including mine, based on I knew not what. Unforgettable and still indescribable forty plus years on, and surely woven into the fabric of the Wigmore for all time."