Anita von Karajan

https://www.pressreader.com/austria/salzburger-nachrichten/20150219...

http://www.badische-zeitung.de/gutach-im-breisgau/die-schillernde-f... ("The Dazzling Baroness")

Google Translation of above article:

NEW RELEASE: Alexandra Gütermann devotes herself in her new book Anita von Karajan.

GUTACH. After the interesting illustrated book on the history of the sewing silk factory Gütermann in Gutach, published last year, Alexandra Gütermann has already submitted her next book: It is dedicated to Anita von Karajan, born Gütermann.

The author's aunt, who lived from 1917 to 2015, was married for the second time to the famous conductor Herbert von Karajan. The main content of the book is less the relationship with Karajan, but the correspondence between Anita's father Paul and herself, divided into the chapters Youth and First Marriage, the war years with Herbert von Karajan and the post-war period and 1950s. Of course, in these letters both the personal fate of the protagonists and the historical course of time look through. The introduction into the story also take over chapter introductions and the foreword by Carla Geser, a cousin of Alexandra Gütermann.

"Anita was a talented, extraordinary woman who grew into a strong, purposeful personality," writes Carla Geser. "Her demands were sometimes exhausting, she did not give in with conventional stuff, she spoke several languages, played golf and very well bridge." Anita was always aware of her great feminine charm: "When she entered a room, everyone in the room felt the special charisma that emanated from her," says Geser. However, she also said that all people - especially her father - had to finance her a pleasant life. "A stylish and orderly home did not suit her, she preferred to live in hotels and be invited." The Gutach people called her the "Frau Baronin". At the age of 22, she recognized herself as a life's work to support Herbert von Karajan.

Anita's grandfather on his father's side was Alexander Gütermann, founder of the Gütermann factory in Gutach, her maternal grandfather Nicolaus August Otto, the inventor of the Otto engine. Her father Paul was the second son of Alexander and Elise Gütermann, her mother Aenni Lindgens came from a Fabrikantenfamilie in Cologne.

That Anita had a penchant for high society, is evident in many places in the book. Their attempt to found a normal family in Berlin probably fails because of these demands: they want to visit and align societies. In April 1939, her daughter Monika is born, that can not save the marriage: In October, she submits the divorce from her first husband - the fight over the child breaks out, with Monika at times with Anita mother (also divorced) and temporarily with the father of Child lives later and later with his mother. From Paul Gütermann Anita must accept the accusation that she had made it easy to be free.

When the marriage with Herbert von Karajan is planned in 1941, this fails first on, from the Nazi point of view, not flawless pedigree of the Gütermanns. "It is not possible that I can serve you Arier from the year 1750, if I have no documents for it," Paul Gütermann writes to Anita. The marriage with Karajan finally comes off - which contacts the couple had to play for it among the rulers, flashes only partially. In August 1943, Anita's half-brother Claus dies in Wyazna in the war effort. Anita lives in Berlin until 1945, then she goes with Herbert von Karajan to Milan, until 1957/58, this marriage ends. Anita von Karajan later lived in Vienna until the end of her life.

Info: Anita von Karajan - Life story and love relationships of an extraordinary woman. By Alexandra Gütermann. Self-published. ISBN 978-3-00-057669-0. 24,90 Euro. Department: Gutach im Breisgau

Published in the printed edition of the BZ on Tue, November 28, 2017