Liza Lehmann

As a singer, Lehmann's voice did not have the stamina or fortitude to sing opera even though she had quite an extensive range. She turned to recitals and popular music having studied voice with Alberto Randegger and Jenny Lind. This was followed by composition studies with Raunkilde, Freundenberg and MacCunn. She was emotionally supported by Clara Schumann and Joachim to sing even though she retired from performing after only nine years. Her compositions included song cycles (selected quatrians from the "Rubayyat of Omar Khayyam" was most noteworthy), songs, and stage works. Lehmann was the first president of the Society of Women Musicians and was also a professor of singing at the Guildhall School of Music. "Practical Hints for Students of Singing" was her pedagogical contribution to music. ~ Keith Johnson