L'oeuvre des conteurs allemands: mémoires d'une chanteuse allemande

A vivid, first‑person chronicle brings listeners into the world of a 19th‑century German songstress whose career spanned the great halls of Europe. Through her own words we hear intimate anecdotes about the customs of the cities she toured, the backstage dramas of opera houses, and the tender, sometimes turbulent, affairs of love that shaped her art. Her observations are remarkably perceptive, offering early psychological insights into the passions that drive performance and the social mores of the era.

The memoir’s provenance adds a layer of intrigue: scholars have long debated whether the text belongs to the celebrated soprano Wilhelmine Schröder‑Devrient or to an anonymous hand that compiled her fragments. This scholarly mystery is woven into the narrative, inviting listeners to consider how memory, fame, and editorial choices intertwine. The first act delivers a rich tapestry of music, romance, and cultural snapshots, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of a remarkable artist’s inner life.