Ernestine Schumann-Heink (1861-1936)

Opera Singer. Born Tini Rössler, she was a celebrated mezzo-soprano, noted for tonal richness, flexibility and wide range of voice. In 1878, she made her debut at the Dresden Opera House and was regular at the Hamburg Opera in 1882. By the 1890s, she had become a International figure performing in London, Paris, Berlin, also making her American debut in Chicago and at the New York Metroplitan in 1898. She became an American citizen in 1908, performed on Broadway, toured and signed a recording contract with RCA Victor. Her 1910 recording of "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" (Silent Night), was a huge seller that stayed in the Victor catalog until she did another version in 1926. Public response was so strong, she made an appearance in the film "Here's to Romance" (1935), but before she could make a movie starring as herself, she died of leukemia at the age of 75. Her son Ferdinand Schumann-Heink, was an actor whom appeared in 65 films, including "Hell's Angels" and "Blonde Venus", is buried next to her.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith