The audience in Manhattan's Town Hall one night last week was prepared for an evening of fine lieder singing from Lotte Lehmann. When Soprano Lehmann remained standing in the curve of the piano at intermission, it was clear that she had something further on her mind. Said she: "This is my farewell recital in New York."
It was a surprise to all but a few of her friends. Some in the audience shouted "No! No!" German-born Lotte Lehmann, handsome, dignified, less than a fortnight away from her 63rd birthday, shook her head. "Don't argue with me. I started to sing in public in 1910. After 41 years of anxiety, nerves, strain and hard work, I think I deserve to take it easy. You know that the Marschallin [the aging heroine of Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier] has always been one of my favorite parts. The Marschallin looks into her mirror and says, 'It is time' ... I look into my mirror and say 'It is time.'" She was ready to live year-round in her California home, follow her hobbies (pottery and painting) and do some teaching.
At the end of the program, Lotte Lehmann gave them an encore, Schubert's tribute to music itself, An die Musik. Before the last note, her voice broke and she covered her face with her hands.