Lotte Schöne

Lotte Schöne was an Austrian soprano whose luminous voice and expressive artistry made her a standout figure in early 20th-century opera and operetta. Born in Vienna in 1891, she began her career at the Vienna Volksoper and quickly gained acclaim for her performances in Mozart roles like Susanna (*The Marriage of Figaro*) and Zerlina (*Don Giovanni*), as well as in lighter operetta works. Her collaborations with legendary tenor Richard Tauber, captured in recordings like *Schöne and Tauber in Operetta*, became iconic, blending her crystalline tone with his charismatic style.

Fleeing Europe during World War II due to the Nazi regime’s persecution of Jewish artists, Schöne settled in France and later taught voice in New York. Though her stage career slowed post-war, her legacy endures through compilations like *The Art of Lotte Schöne*, which showcase her agile phrasing and emotional depth. A cherished figure in classical music history, she passed away in 1977, leaving behind recordings that still enchant listeners today.