Biography
Born on October 19, 1934, Eva-Maria Hagen launched her theatrical work in 1953 while Bertolt Brecht still directed the Berliner Ensemble. Her involvement with the blacklisted songwriter and poet Wolf Biermann from 1965 onward triggered repeated interventions by GDR officials, resulting in performance and acting prohibitions. After publicly opposing Biermann’s expulsion from the GDR in 1976, Hagen herself was compelled to leave in 1977 and established residence in Hamburg. There she built a thriving interpretive career focused on material by Biermann and Brecht. Her first record, the 1979 collection Nicht Liebe Ohne die Liebe, presented German-language versions—prepared by Biermann—of Russian and Gypsy folk songs. Songs newly written for her by Biermann appeared on the 1981 album Ich Leb’ Mein Leben, and the partnership continued with Das mit den Männern und Den Frau’n (1985) and Michael, Michael (1986).
Following the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, she regained permission to appear in the former East Germany. In parallel with theater and film engagements plus exhibitions of her paintings, she issued further recordings: the 1996 set Wenn Ich Erstmal Losleg, which incorporated fresh Biermann compositions based on Baltic folk sources, and Joe, Mach die Musik von Damals Nach (1997), timed to Brecht’s centenary. Her 1998 memoir Eva und der Wolf, recounting the years shared with Biermann, achieved widespread success throughout Germany. She returned to Biermann material once more with the 1999 album Eva Singt Wolfslieder.
Following the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, she regained permission to appear in the former East Germany. In parallel with theater and film engagements plus exhibitions of her paintings, she issued further recordings: the 1996 set Wenn Ich Erstmal Losleg, which incorporated fresh Biermann compositions based on Baltic folk sources, and Joe, Mach die Musik von Damals Nach (1997), timed to Brecht’s centenary. Her 1998 memoir Eva und der Wolf, recounting the years shared with Biermann, achieved widespread success throughout Germany. She returned to Biermann material once more with the 1999 album Eva Singt Wolfslieder.
Albums
