Open Features: Henriette Sontag
Peter Wintersgill outlines the career of Henriette Sontag who created the title role in Weber's Euryanthe
Born
3rd. January 1806 in Koblenz, Germany.
Childhood
First public appearance at age 6.
Adolescence
Studied at Prague Conservatoire.
Adult life
Opera debut 1821 in Boildieu's Jean de Paris. Created title role in Weber's Euryanthe 1823. She sang in the premiere of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Missa Solennis in Vienna 1824. Berlin debut 1825, Paris 1826, London 1828, all in Rossini roles.
She had great beauty, a lively and attractive voice, and excelled in Rossini, Bellini, Mozart and Donizetti.
She retired from the stage on marriage to diplomat Count Rossi, but continued concert work. She toured the U.S.A. in 1852.
She died 17th. June 1854 in Mexico City of cholera aged 48.
