Paula Mark by Krziwanek

Paula Mark-Neusser (1869-1956); Austrian soprano.
From 1883/90 she studied at the Conservatory in Vienna; piano with Wilhelm Schenner and singing with Johann Ress. In 1890 she made her debut as a singer at the Leipzig Opera. In 1893 she was engaged at the Wiener Hofoper, where in 1892 she already had made several guest appearances. Here she remained until 1897 but she had to adjust her vocal activity for a long time after a serious illness. In 1892 she performed the role of Nedda in the Viennese premiere of Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci", which was conducted by the composer himself. Leoncavallo described her as the best Nedda he ever heard. After her marriage in 1897 with the doctor and pianist Edmund von Neusser (1852-1912) she gave up her singing career in 1899, although it had just reached its peak. From 1924/50, she worked as a professor at the Vienna Academy of music.

On the photo she is seen as Nedda in Leoncavallo's opera "Pagliacci".