Maria Jeritza (1887-1982) as Octavian in Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier. thumbnail 1
Maria Jeritza (1887-1982) as Octavian in Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier. thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Maria Jeritza (1887-1982) as Octavian in Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier.

Figurine
1924 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Czech soprano Maria Jeritza was born in 1887 in Brünn, and baptised Mimi Jedlitzková. She made her name in Vienna and quickly became one of its leading prima donnas, appearing in the premieres of several operas. She made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1921 and appeared in a variety of major opera houses of France, England, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary and Russia.

This was one of two versions of the figurine issued by Augarten Pocelain, one more ornately painted than the other. It represents the character Octavian from Richard Strauss's colourful opera Der Rosenkavalier, 1911, a comic intrigue involving the aristocratic Marschallin, her young lover Octavian, her vulgar cousin Baron Ochs and his prospective fiancée Sophie. Octavian is seen here in the traditional casting of a girl dressed as a boy, handing the silver rose in Act II of the opera to Sophie as they instantly fall in love.



Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Maria Jeritza (1887-1982) as Octavian in Richard Strauss's opera <i>Der Rosenkavalier.
  • The Rose Bearer (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Glazed earthenware
Brief description
Glazed porcelain figurine of Maria Jeritza (1887-1982) as Octavian in Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier. Designed by Professor Albin Döbrich for the Augarten factory, Vienna, 1924


Physical description
Glazed porcelain figurine representing Maria Jeritza as Octavian in Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier, standing on a circular white base decorated with a gilt line, in a powdered wig fastened with a black bow, holding her sword with her left hand and the silver rose in her right hand, wearing white breeches, waistcoat, jabot, knee-length jacket and buckled shoes. The base bears the marker's mark in blue for the Augarten Factory, with 'Wien' for Vienna in blue below, the number 82, and the imprressed marks around the base: MADE IN AUSTRIA and 1500.
Dimensions
  • Height: 20.3cm (Note: Maximum height)
  • Width: 7.4cm
  • Depth: 6.5cm
Credit line
Acquired with the support of the Friends of the V&A
Summary
The Czech soprano Maria Jeritza was born in 1887 in Brünn, and baptised Mimi Jedlitzková. She made her name in Vienna and quickly became one of its leading prima donnas, appearing in the premieres of several operas. She made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1921 and appeared in a variety of major opera houses of France, England, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary and Russia.

This was one of two versions of the figurine issued by Augarten Pocelain, one more ornately painted than the other. It represents the character Octavian from Richard Strauss's colourful opera Der Rosenkavalier, 1911, a comic intrigue involving the aristocratic Marschallin, her young lover Octavian, her vulgar cousin Baron Ochs and his prospective fiancée Sophie. Octavian is seen here in the traditional casting of a girl dressed as a boy, handing the silver rose in Act II of the opera to Sophie as they instantly fall in love.

Bibliographic reference
Collection
Accession number
S.1658-2014

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Record createdAugust 5, 2014
Record URL
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