Elisabeth Schärtel [SEP] voice type
Elisabeth Schärtel
Elisabeth Schärtel (6 October 1919 – 24 August 2012) was a German operatic mezzo-soprano and contralto. A member of the Cologne Opera from 1959 to 1967, she performed leading parts at major European opera houses and regularly at the Bayreuth Festival. 
Career.
Born in Weiden in der Oberpfalz, she studied with Anna Bahr-Mildenburg in Munich and with Henny Wolff in Hamburg. She made her debut in 1942 at the Stadttheater Gießen. From 1959 to 1967 she was a member of the Cologne
sound, and a few video recordings of her late career preserve evidence of her acting ability. Varnay died in Munich on 4 September 2006 at age 88.
Selected recordings.
Wagner: "Der Fliegende Holländer" – Chorus and Orchestra of the Bayreuth Festival
- Conductor: Joseph Keilberth
- Principal singers: Hermann Uhde (Dutchman); Astrid Varnay (Senta); Ludwig Weber (Daland); Rudolf Lustig (Erik); Josef Traxel (Helmsman); Elisabeth Schärtel (Mary)
- Recording location