Maria Cebotari was an American actress known for her remarkable work in opera and film. She is best recognized for her performances in “Mutterlied,” “Mädchen in Weiß,” and “Odessa in fiamme.”
Personal and Family Life
Maria Cebotari was born on February 10, 1910, in Kishinev, then part of the Russian Empire (now Chisinau, Moldova). She had two children, Peter and Fritz Diessl, with her husband Gustav Diessl, whom she married in 1938. Following his death in 1948, her sons were adopted by British pianist Sir Clifford Curzon, highlighting the importance of family in her life.
Career
Cebotari began her singing career after studying singing in Berlin in 1929. She gained fame as an opera singer, particularly known for her interpretations of works by Mozart and Strauss. She performed in Dresden until 1943 and made appearances at the Berliner State Opera from 1936. Alongside her singing career, she acted in various films, leveraging her popularity as a singer to transition to the cinematic world.
Death and Legacy
Maria Cebotari passed away on June 9, 1949, in Vienna, Austria, after battling health issues related to cancer. Despite her declining health, she continued to perform until shortly before her death. Her contributions to opera and film have left a lasting legacy, and she is remembered as one of the great opera singers of her time.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mutterlied | 1937-12-21 | Fiamma Vanni (his wife) |
| Mädchen in Weiß | 1936-08-28 | Daniela |
| Odessa in fiamme | 1942-01-01 | Maria Teodorescu |
| Giuseppe Verdi | 1938-08-01 | Teresina Stolz |
| Starke Herzen im Sturm | 1937-01-03 | Operasängerin Marina Marta |
| Leckerbissen | 1948-06-05 | Self – film scenes (archive footage) |
| Il sogno di Butterfly | 1939-01-10 | Rosi Belloni |
| Solo per te | 1938-01-01 | Fiamma |
| Amami, Alfredo! | 1940-09-29 | Maria Dalgeri |