Charles "Carl" Schiffeler (1891-1943): Operatic Baritone; Burial Site Became News Story

 

Plot 33

Charles "Carl" Schiffeler was a mid-20th-century opera singer who lies in the Wintermute family vault below “Millionaires’ Row.” He was born in Dusseldorf, Germany on May 15, 1891.

Schiffeler was the son of a German baron, yet he made his own name on the operatic stages of Germany, France and the United States. A bass-baritone, he notably performed the role of Wotan in Wagner’s Ring Cycle. He made the famous aria "Wotan's Farewell ("Leb' wohl...)" his calling card, which he frequently performed in recital, including at the Oakland Auditorium Theater. He met his future wife Marjorie Winternute, while singing the piece in 1938. 

After performing in Europe, he came to the U.S. where he initially performed with the Chicago Opera Company. The company operated from 1940 to 1946, staging six seasons at the Civic Opera House. It emerged from the remnants of the bankrupt Chicago City Opera Company. Despite efforts, it ultimately succumbed to financial difficulties and ceased operations in 1946.  

He performed Wotan's Farewell on a concert program with the Bay Region Symphony, which performed in Northern California in the mid-20th century. The program included the unofficial U.S. premiere of Hindemith's "Mathis der Maler." He also performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the company. 

In 1936, he performed the villain in Franz Lehar's "The Gypsy Baron" at San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House, which is listed as his California debut. 

His obituary states that he died unexpectedly on July 22, 1943. 

In 2003, a notable dispute arose concerning the Wintermute Family Mausoleum when John W. Schiffeler, the grandson of Dr. George Wintermute. attempted to sell the family mausoleum by placing a "for sale" sign on its window. His intention was to convert the mausoleum into a more liquid asset. The cemetery management informed Schiffeler that while the mausoleum technically belonged to the family, selling it would entail significant logistical and financial challenges. These included costs associated with surveying, opening, removing, reburying remains, and preparing the vault for new owners. Such expenses could potentially outweigh any financial benefits from the sale. The asking price was $250,000.

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle, San Mateo Times, Oakland Tribune, Flickr, Berkeley Daily Gazette, Ancestry.com