Martha Musial was a German operatic soprano who sang mostly dramatic soprano roles. She was particularly associated with the operas of Richard Wagner, such as Isolde in Tristan und Isolde, Brünnhilde in Der Ring des Nibelungen, and Senta in Der Fliegende Holländer. She was also a noted interpreter of the title roles in Strauss's Salome, Alban Berg's Wozzeck, and Puccini's Turandot.
Musial was born in Vienna, Austria, and studied singing at the Vienna Conservatory. She made her professional debut in 1927 at the Vienna Volksoper. She quickly gained international recognition for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence. In the 1930s, she sang at major opera houses throughout Europe, including the Berlin State Opera, the Dresden State Opera, and the Vienna State Opera.
In 1939, Musial moved to the United States to escape the Nazis. She made her American debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1940, singing the role of Isolde in Tristan und Isolde. She remained a regular performer at the Met until 1953. During her career, she also appeared at other major opera houses in the United States, including the San Francisco Opera, the Chicago Lyric Opera, and the Philadelphia Lyric Opera.
After retiring from opera, Musial taught voice at the Mannes College of Music in New York City. She died in 1979 at the age of 74.
Musial's Career During World War II
During World War II, Musial continued to perform in Europe, despite the fact that the Nazis were in control of much of the continent. She gave concerts for German troops, and she also appeared in opera productions in Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Some critics have accused Musial of collaborating with the Nazis. However, there is no evidence that she ever expressed support for the Nazi regime. In fact, she is said to have helped Jewish friends and colleagues escape from Nazi-occupied territory.
After the war, Musial was cleared of any wrongdoing by a denazification court. She was able to continue her career without any major repercussions.