Hildegard Ranczak


Hildegard Ranczak was a Bohemian operatic soprano, particularly associated with Richard Strauss roles, and largely based in Germany. She married and later divorced German baritone Fritz Schaetzler.
She studied in Vienna with Irene Schlemmer-Ambros and made her debut in Düsseldorf in 1919, as Pamina. After engagements in Cologne, Stuttgart, she became a member of the Munich State Opera, where under the direction of Clemens Krauss she often appeared in operas by Richard Strauss, creating Clairon in Capriccio, other notable roles included Octavian, Zdenka, Aithra, Die Farberin.
She made guest appearances in Vienna, Paris, London, Rome, Dresden. Her last performance was as Carmen in Munich, in 1950.

Selected recordings