Signe von Rappe

Signe Rappe-Welden née Rappe (24 September 1879 – 21 May 1974) was a Swedish operatic soprano and voice teacher. She made her dëbut in 1906 in Mannheim, acclaimed for both her voice and acting ability. She performed in Vienna from 1908 to 1911 and received the title of court singer in Sweden in 1909. Her most successful role was that of Salome in Covent Garden in 1910, which she later performed with Richard Strauss as conductor. After a short period with the Royal Swedish Opera (1912–1913), she went on to give concerts in Europe and the United States.

Early life and education Born in Stockholm on 24 September 1879, Signe Rappe was the daughter of General Axel Rappe (1838–1918) and his wife Anna née Sandahl (1855–1946). She was the second in a family of five children. On 30 December 1912, she married the pianist Sigge Heribert Lundén-Welden (1880–1959) with whom she had four children. She studied voice under the Swedish opera singer Thekla Hofer and later in Berlin under the German Therese Schnabel and the Hungarian Etelka Gerster. As a concert performer, she was particularly fond of singing music by Bach. She completed her career by teaching voice in Stockholm.

Signe Rappe-Welden died on 21 May 1974 in Danderyd.

Awards

In 1909, Rappe-Welden received the title of Hovsångerska (court singer) and in 1914 she was awarded the Litteris et Artibus.