Ryss Olga

Ryss Olga (? , Libau, Courland Province — ?) — singer, lyric-dramatic soprano.

Olga Ryss possessed a powerful voice of wide range with a beautiful, brilliant upper register and clear diction. She graduated with distinction from the St. Petersburg Conservatory (class of A. Fostrem).

She sang in the Opera Company of the People’s House in St. Petersburg and performed leading roles at the Tiflis Opera Theatre, where she sang 35 operatic parts.

Until 1925 she toured in Persia and South Africa. In 1925–1932 she toured in Germany, including performances at the Berlin State Opera, where she notably sang the role of Yaroslavna.

She gave concerts in Riga in 1921–1925 and 1932–1934, performing at the Conservatory Hall, the House of the Blackheads, and the Craft Society Hall. From 1923 she was a soloist of the Liepāja Opera.

Her repertoire included both lyrical and dramatic roles, such as Tatiana, Liza, Tamara, Rachel, Senta, and Tosca. In 1932 she appeared as a guest on the stage of the Latvian National Opera, performing the role of Liza in Latvian.

She also performed in concerts at the Jewish House (Skolas Street 6). She sang in twelve languages and had an extensive chamber repertoire, performing works of Western and Russian classical composers.

She also performed compositions by Jewish composers, including S. Rozovsky (cycle of sacred songs), J. Achron, Y. Engel, M. Milner, M. Gnesin, L. Yampolsky, and Shalit.

She also gave singing lessons.

Her husband was the director I. Ryss.