Description

BERNARDO OLSHANSKY (RUSSIA, 1885 – UNION CITY, NJ, 25 JAN. 1933)

 

 

 

 

Driven by political persecution to seek the protection of America, he arrived in New York about the year 1905, at the age of twenty. He worked hard at various trades, but during all his straggles he kept before him his desire and determination to become a grand opera singer. A few months after landing in New York he began to take lessons with Giacomo Ginsburg, and worked with rare diligence. Three years later his teacher pronounced him equipped for opera and advised him to go to Italy for his debut. Lacking worldly goods, and not familiar with other languages Olshansky nevertheless set out for Italy, and overcame all professional difficulties. He made his debut in ”Rigoletto” at Monza, and engagements from other towns were offered to him, but he decided to return to America and complete his studies. Then he was invited to sing at a musicale at the house of Mrs. B. Guinness, where his excellent diction, perfect phrasing, convincing rendition and his beautiful voice, deeply impressed the audience. Among them was Mr. R. L. Cottenet, a director of the Metropolitan Opera House, who at once arranged for Olshansky to sing before Toscanini. Mrs. Guinness, however, engaged him for the following season and sent him to Paris to study French roles under Andre Caplet, one of the conductors of the Boston Opera Company. Thus, after a romantic career, Olshansky was a member of an opera company. Olshansky made his debut there in 1911. It would be nice to say that he went on to a big career, but such does not seem to be the case. After singing a few minor roles in Boston and making some recordings for several companies, Olshansky seems to have   disappeared from sight. Nothing more about him is known. However, he did leave us some beautiful recordings, which make one wonder why a singer with such a fine voice did not go on to a successful career.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1908/1909 Monza Opera House

1911 Boston Opera

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Ach ti duschetchka krasnaya divitza (Glinka) Victor 72989 B-22618 3/11/1919, New York

As the king went to war (Keneman) Columbia E3121 44497 1916 or 1917, New York

As the king went to war (Keneman) Victor 72989 B-22413 11/12/1918, New York

Cossack lullaby Columbia E3158 44549, New York

Demon (Rubinstein) Romance Victor 69342 B-19243, 3/6/1917, New York

Dubinushca Victor 69484 B-19471, 4/12/1917, New York

Dva velikana Columbia 44498 E3121, New York

Elegie (Glinka) B-22424 Victor, 11/15/1918, New York

Eyo uz niet olk song Columbia E3157 44550 1916 or 1917, New York

Fall (Tchaikovsky) Columbia E3120 44501, New York

I love you (Donaurov) Victor 72266 B-22619 3/11/1919 New York

Kolibelnaya pesnia Victor 69484 B-19242 3/6/1917, New York

Night (Pigazavo) Victor 72478 B-21869 5/31/1918 New York

Night (Tchaikovsky) Columbia E3157 44495 1916 or 1917, New York

Oh why, thoughtless one, bringst thou ruin (Prigozhy) Victor 72266 B-21800 4/25/1918 New York

The life for the czar (Glinka) And yet you come, my sunrise Victor 68590 C-19245 3/6/1917, New York

The Prisoners (Bleichman) 69342 B-19244 Victor, 3/6/1917, New York

The Red Scarf (Varalmov) Victor 72478 B-21893, 3/11/1919, New York

Ye who have yearned alone (Tchaikovsky) 72553 B-22423 Victor, 11/15/1918, New York

Zashumiela, razgolialas Columbia E3120 44500, New York