Born in 1882 in Merseburg, Germany, the much-loved soprano Elisabeth Schumann trained for a singing career in Berlin and Dresden. She made her stage début in Hamburg in 1909, singing the role of the Shepherd in Wagner’s Tannhäuser. She was a member of the Vienna State Opera Company and a special favourite at Covent Garden where she appeared regularly. Her many recitals of German lieder in America and the United Kingdom won her a vast public, and her silvery voice, lovely stage personality and infectious charm placed her in that rare category of artists that are not only admired, but loved.