Marie Hanfstängl

Marie Hanfstängl (30 April 1848, in Breslau – 5 September 1917, in Munich), born Marie Schroeder (or Schröder), was a notable German operatic soprano singer and singing teacher, whose career was mostly conducted in Germany.

She appeared at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris in 1866, but returned to Germany on the outbreak of war in 1870.

After marrying Erwin Hanfstaengl, a member of the distinguished Stuttgart photographer and art-publishing family headed by Franz Hanfstaengl,[1] Marie resumed her musical studies in 1878, going to Vannucini in Florence, and thereafter was employed by the Stadt-Theater at Frankfurt.

The beautiful, exquisitely trained voice, and the polished virtuosity of her delivery made her an outstanding coloratura singer.

Among her best roles were: Rosina (The Barber of Seville), Gretchen (in Gounod's Faust), Amina (La sonnambula), Philine (Mignon), Lucia, Martha etc.