Elisabeth Reiss

Aasta Elisabeth Reiss (June 14, 1902 – March 8, 1970) was a Norwegian pianist and cabaret performer. She was the daughter of the lawyer, composer, and musicologist Georg Reiss and the sister of the actor Thorleif Reiss.

Classical pianist Elisabeth Reiss took early lessons from an influential piano teacher of her time, Nils Larsen, Harald Sæverud wrote the following about Reiss in Aftenposten: It was in the best understanding with the composer that the young lady led the way in this interplay between brilliant melodies and cheerful rhythms, well supported by the orchestra and conductor.

Cabaret artist Elisabeth Reiss developed her own style, and in 1937 she surprised audiences by debuting for the second time, this time with her own solo cabaret act.

Reiss herself wrote a number of the highly satirical texts for the show, based on current situations and social debate. In this sense, her lyrics provide good images of the times. Other contributors to the texts included Johan Borgen, Vilhelm Dybwad, André Bjerke, Inger Hagerup, Alf Hartmann, Thorleif Reiss, and Piet Hein. Hein gave Elisabeth Reiss the following well-known Kumbel grook as an item for her performance in 1952:

Den som kun tar spøk for spøk og alvor kun alvorlig han og hun har faktisk fattet begge dele dårlig.

Those who take jokes only as jokes And seriousness only as serious He and she have an understanding Of both that is spurious.

Among composers, she received contributions from figures such as Pauline Hall, Kåre Siem, and Finn Ludt. The performances were carried out at a high pace, with comedy and constant role changes. Reiss was both inspired by and had a lot in common with Victor Borge, and she became one of the forerunners of today's stand-up style.