GERHARDT, ELENA (1885— ), German singer, was born at Leipzig on Nov. II, 1885. She studied music at the Leip zig conservatorium, where her voice was trained by Madame Hedmondt, and afterwards received invaluable help in inter pretation from Nikisch, who frequently accompanied her at con certs. As a Lieder singer, and especially as an interpreter of Schubert, she has set a standard of purity and simplicity which is not likely to be surpassed.