Norma Gadsden


Gadsden, Norma, Sopran / Mezzosopran, * 1898 Melbourne (Australia), † ?; dramatic soprano Norma Gadsden (Dorothy Smith) was born in Melbourne, and lived at Grong Grong, Toorak. Having trained initally as a mezzo/contralto with Harold Browning, she subsequently studied operatic soprano roles with Roland Foster in Sydney. She left Australia to study in London in 1929, but after several months in the British capital she placed herself under Madame Cecile Gilly in Paris. She also studied in Berlin. Gadsden made her operatic début in 1936 with the Bayreuth Company under Franz von Hoesslin at the Opéra de Monte Carlo. She appeared as Fricka in »Das Rheingold« on the opening night of »Der Ring des Nibelungen« on 26 January, and as Brünnhilde in »Die Walküre«. In this season she also sang in »Boris Godunov«; a performance which featured Chaliapin in his final operatic appearance. Since 1936 she is member of the Opera de Monte Carlo as first "hochdramatic soprano". Gadsden's roles at Monte Carlo also included Ortrud, Brangäne and Tosca. Her success was such that she was offered engagements with the Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Choosing to remain in Europe, she married baritone Dominique Modesti (her second husband), with whom she often appeared. In 1937, Gadsden sang major Wagnerian roles at Bayreuth (Waltraute in »Ring« and a Walkyrie), with Furtwängler conducting. She also triumphed as Brünnhilde at Aix-la-Chapelle, and in Belgium. The Second World War brought her operatic career to a premature end. Her husband later taught singing in Paris; his students included Australians Lance Infram, Robert Allman and Lauris Elms. Gadsden (Madame Modesti) made occasional concert appearances in Paris until the 1950's.

 

 


GALLERY
as Brangäne
as Brünnhilde
as Brünnhilde
as Ortrud
as Tosca
Portrait
Portrait
with Walkyries- Team Bayreuth 1937 (Collection G&K)