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Cathinka Buchwieser
Cathinka Buchwieser 1813.tif
Buchwieser as Princess of Navarra at the Theater an der Wien, 1813
Born (1789-05-24)24 May 1789
Died 9 July 1828(1828-07-09) (aged 39)
Vienna, Austria
Occupation Operatic soprano
Organization
  • Theater an der Wien
  • Theater am Kärntnertor

Katharina Buchwieser (born May 24, 1789 – died July 9, 1828) was a very talented German opera singer and actress. People often called her Cathinka. She was known for her amazing singing voice, called a soprano. Cathinka performed in famous theaters in Vienna, Austria, including the Theater an der Wien and the Theater am Kärntnertor. A well-known composer, Franz Schubert, even wrote music especially for her.

Who Was Cathinka Buchwieser?

Cathinka Buchwieser was a celebrated performer during her time. She was known for her powerful voice and her ability to act on stage. Her career took her to some of the most important musical venues in Europe. She left a lasting impression on the music world.

Her Early Life and Start

Cathinka was born in Koblenz, a city in what is now Germany. Her father, Balthasar Buchwieser, was a "Kapellmeister." This means he was a music director, often in charge of an orchestra or choir. Growing up with a musical father likely helped Cathinka develop her own talents.

She made her first public appearance in 1802. This was at the Frankfurt Opera, a major opera house. She sang the role of Myrrha in an opera called Das unterbrochene Opferfest. This early start showed her great potential as a singer.

Performing in Vienna

In 1806, Cathinka moved to Vienna, the capital of Austria. Vienna was a very important city for music at that time. Her father also moved there to become the Kapellmeister at the Theater an der Wien. Cathinka quickly began performing in Vienna herself.

On December 6, 1806, she performed at the Theater an der Wien. She sang the role of Sesto in Mozart's famous opera, La clemenza di Tito. From 1809, she regularly performed at the Theater am Kärntnertor. This was another very important theater in Vienna.

Famous Roles and Performances

Cathinka took on many different roles during her career. In 1813, she played the Princess of Navarra. This was in the opera Jean de Paris by François-Adrien Boieldieu. She performed this role at the Theater an der Wien.

In 1814, she appeared in an early opera by Giacomo Meyerbeer. The opera was called Die beiden Kalifen. Besides singing, Cathinka also performed as an actress. This was a common practice for performers in Vienna at the time.

Her opera roles included Donna Elvira in Mozart's Don Giovanni. She also sang the main roles in several operas by Ferdinando Paer. These included Achille, Camilla, and Leonora. She also played the main character in Henri-Montan Berton's Aline, reine de Golconde.

Her Music and Friends

Cathinka Buchwieser retired from the main stage in 1815. However, she continued to perform in concerts. She was part of Vienna's lively music scene.

She knew many important musicians of her time. This included Johann Michael Vogl, who was also a singer. She also met composers like Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Ferdinand Hiller. They often gathered at "soirées" at her home. A soirée was a social gathering held in the evening, often for conversation or music.

The famous composer Franz Schubert dedicated some of his music to her. These included two of his Lieder (songs). They were "Der zürnenden Diana" and "Nachtstück." He also dedicated his Divertissement à l'hongroise for piano duet to her. This shows how much he respected her talent.

Cathinka Buchwieser passed away in Vienna in 1828. She left behind a legacy as a gifted singer and actress.

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