Vienna
Open now

Discover the "My Song For You" Exhibition: Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura's Operatic Journey and Exile Story

This exhibition illuminates the enduring legacy of musical stars Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura, chronicling their flight into exile.

Immerse yourself in the "My Song For You" exhibition, which meticulously details the fascinating lives and celebrated careers of opera and operetta legends Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura. This compelling presentation delves into their flight from Austria after the 'Anschluss' and their subsequent lives in exile, providing a profound look at the challenges faced by artists of their generation during National Socialism. Explore their musical legacy and the stories of their silenced colleagues through this powerful narrative.

About My Song For You – Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura Between Two Worlds at Exilarte Center in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for My Song For You – Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura Between Two Worlds at Exilarte Center in Vienna

Exhibition summary

This exhibition explores the lives and careers of opera and operetta superstars Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura, whose charisma and voices captivated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. It delves into their flight from Austria after the 'Anschluss' and their lives in exile, while also highlighting the fates of their artist friends and colleagues who were silenced by National Socialism.

Curatorial context

The exhibition "My Song for You" focuses on the celebrated stage and film careers, as well as the enduring musical legacy, of Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura, the beloved 'dream couple' of mid-20th century opera and operetta. Their unique voices and glamorous performances inspired a generation and brought opera to wider audiences. After choosing Vienna as their home, the Hungarian soprano and Polish tenor were forced to flee their adopted country in 1938 due to the Nazi 'Anschluss'. Their story is emblematic of countless artists who faced exile, persecution, and oblivion. The exhibition not only celebrates Kiepura and Eggerth's enchanting performances on both sides of the Atlantic but also sheds light on the tragic fates of their friends, companions, and colleagues, many of whom were denied a place in collective memory by National Socialism. It highlights the vanished Austria they carried with them to New York and points out the impact of the era on figures such as Paul Abraham, Carl Alwin, Ralph Benatzky, Robert Gilbert, Fritz Grünbaum, Maria Jeritza, Emmerich and Charles Kálman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Lotte Lehmann, Fritz Löhner-Beda, Paul Morgan, Artur Rubinstein, Mischa Spoliansky, and Billy Wilder, among many others.

Admission and ticket notes

The exhibition is accessible via a virtual reality 360° tour. Further ticketing or admission details are not provided on this page, but visitors are directed to an external link for the virtual tour.

My Song For You – Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura Between Two Worlds key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for My Song For You – Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura Between Two Worlds at Exilarte Center in Vienna

Venue
Exilarte Center
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
Information not currently available
Artist line / attribution
The exhibition highlights the stage and film careers of Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura, and points out the fates of many of their friends, companions, and colleagues, including Paul Abraham, Carl Alwin, Ralph Benatzky, Robert Gilbert, Fritz Grünbaum, Maria Jeritza, Emmerich and Charles Kálman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Lotte Lehmann, Fritz Löhner-Beda, Paul Morgan, Artur Rubinstein, Mischa Spoliansky, and Billy Wilder.
More from Exilarte Center
Explore additional exhibitions from the same institution
Review other exhibitions from Exilarte Center in Vienna to compare themes, timelines, and program direction while planning your museum visit.
A watercolor artwork for the exhibition 'The word expired when that world awoke (Karl Kraus, 1933)', featuring purple washes, fading text, and silhouettes of refugees with luggage and a boat, symbolizing displacement and eroded traditions.

The Word Expired When That World Awoke: Karl Kraus and 20th Century Historical Exhibition

Reflecting on pivotal 20th-century anniversaries and societal transformations.

This exhibition explores 20th-century historical shifts using Karl Kraus's 1933 quote. It commemorates significant anniversaries like 1918, 1933, and 1938, reflecting on individual fates amidst political and societal changes. Discover the profound impact of these critical junctures in history.

View Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a theatrical stage set depicting political protest and exile, with figures holding signs reading 'PROTEST' and 'EXILE' under dramatic purple lighting.

Political Theater in Exile: The Enduring Legacy of Erwin and Maria Ley-Piscator

Discover their profound impact on 20th-century theater at Exilarte Center.

This exhibition expands on existing displays, portraying the influential lives and work of Erwin Piscator and Maria Ley-Piscator. Learn about their significant contributions to political and experimental theater, including their roles in establishing the Dramatic Workshop, which shaped American artists.

Political Theater Exhibition
A watercolor illustration of a vintage Bösendorfer grand piano on display in a museum gallery, with informational plaques and visitors in the background.
From May 1, 2017

Discover The Emmy and Egon Wellesz Piano Exhibition at Exilarte Center Vienna

Tracing a historic Bösendorfer piano's journey through emigration and return.

This permanent exhibition at Exilarte Center explores the significant Bösendorfer grand piano of Emmy and Egon Wellesz. Follow its history from Vienna, through their emigration, and its poignant journey back to the city. It highlights a powerful story of cultural legacy.

Piano Exhibition
A watercolor illustration of a violin on a music stand with sheet music for Bach, Mozart, and For Elise, surrounded by vintage photos of musicians, evoking the legacy of Fritz Kreisler.
From Sep 17, 2022

Fritz Kreisler: A Violinist's Journey Through Exile at the Exilarte Center Exhibition

From child prodigy to a 'King of Violinists' facing the Nazi regime.

Explore the profound life story of Fritz Kreisler, a violin virtuoso exiled during the Nazi era. This exhibition showcases his musical accomplishments and personal struggles, alongside insights into other contemporary string artists affected by displacement.

Fritz Kreisler Exhibition
A purple watercolor illustration of three stylized figures representing composers Arnold Schoenberg, Alexander Zemlinsky, and Richard Hoffmann, with musical notes, Art Nouveau architecture, and barbed wire symbolizing exile and persecution during the Nazi era.
From Dec 1, 2023

Discover Triangle of the Viennese Tradition Exhibition at Exilarte Center

Explore the legacy of Schönberg, Zemlinsky, and Hoffmann in exile.

Journey through the connections between Arnold Schönberg, Alexander Zemlinsky, and Richard Hoffmann. This exhibition at Exilarte Center illuminates their profound impact on Viennese musical tradition and their experiences during the Nazi era.

Exhibition Details
A watercolor illustration in purple and blue tones depicting silhouettes of musicians with sheet music and handwritten letters, symbolizing the lost musical legacy of exiled artists from Vienna during the Nazi era.
From May 19, 2021

I return to Vienna when I compose: Exilarte Center Exhibition in Vienna

A permanent exhibition exploring exiled Viennese musicians and their lost legacies.

This exhibition at the Exilarte Center delves into the lives of musicians forced into exile from Vienna (1933 –1938). Explore their challenges and enduring contributions, highlighting a vital chapter of music history and cultural heritage.

Exhibition Details
Vienna

Discover Current Exhibitions in Vienna: Your Essential Exhibition Search Guide

Explore Vienna's dynamic art and cultural displays today.

Find compelling art, history, and science exhibitions happening throughout Vienna. This specialized resource helps you locate unique cultural experiences and plan your visit to inspiring displays. Explore Vienna's rich cultural scene with ease.