Memories in Vienna

One of Lehmann's most faithful friends and fans is Hertha Schuch of Vienna. Her love for Lehmann goes back further than most, because she was starstruck when quite a young girl. She and several friends admired the Vienna diva with such ardent passion that they were not only noticed by the star, but cherished and nourished. They became a small group of loyal friends whom Lehmann could count on when she needed help of any sort.

"After a concert in October 1934 in Innsbruck, which I had helped with by being her 'chauffeuse,' she was surrounded by fans at the exit door, clamoring for autographs. LL had to meet a train back to Vienna that was due to leave shortly, and so I broke in in order to get her to the train on time. In the station we heard that the train was three hours late. LL's reaction: 'Oh, I could have given my fans more autographs!' The evening ended with dinner at the hotel, along with her accompanist Leo Rosenek. Naturally, I was very happy and proud. Yet it was LL who thanked me, 'for your dear company.' That was the way she was, always unassuming and modest."

Hertha Schuch collected 78rpm recordings of Lehmann and still has them today in her apartment within walking distance of the opera. She has lived there her entire life. During the 1945 bombings, she carried those recordings in a backpack down into the shelters, where they survived intact.

''After 1938 LL attempted as long as it was possible to stay in communication with Vienna. I have correspondence with her up until 1940, all having gone through the censor! Then things broke off. But as soon as the possibility of renewing contact was there, LL shipped CARE packages to friends and naturally to me, also. She forgot no one."

Mrs. Schuch sent us a copy of a booklet she has which contains a breakdown of all the Rosenkavalier performances in the Wiener Staatsoper by year (1911 through 1949), with number of performances, and who the lead singers were for each performance. If anyone would like a copy of this, please write to the LL League. [Website readers: this is no longer available.]

In December 1991 Hertha Schuch wrote: "I am 84 years old and cannot decide whether to buy a CD player. I have almost all the records [of LL) in 78 and 33, and I am doubtful that the difference is so colossal. Also, I dearly love my oId records. However, if there were Fidelio with Toscanini [and LL], I would risk getting one and having it copied by a friend onto tape."

Mrs. Schuch and husband Michael have visited Lehmann's Santa Barbara home many times. —JS