Fritzi Scheff

The daughter of Hortense Scheff Yarger, a prima donna with the Imperial Opera in Vienna, Fritzi Scheff made her debut when eight years old singing Juliet in Charles Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet" with the Frankfurt Opera company. After appearing with several other opera companies in Germany, she spent three years with the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also gave a command performance for Queen Victoria at Covent Garden. From there she moved into musical comedy. It was her role in "Mlle Modiste," written specifically for her by Victor Herbert, that contained what became her signature song, "Kiss Me Again." After that came vaudeville (1913-1930) and later appearances for Billy Rose in his show at the 1939 New York World's Fair and at the Diamond Horseshoe. Her last appearance was on This Is Your Life. And yes, she was temperamental.