Description

RALPH ERROLLE (22 SEPTEMBER, 1890 (OR 1888) CHICAGO – 2 SEPTEMBER 1973, PHILADELPHIA (OR BIRMINGHAM)

 

 

 

 

He studied singing under Herman Devriès in Chicago and made his debut in 1909 at the Chicago Opera in Auber’s Fra Diavolo. After briefly performing in musical comedies, he was a member of the Chicago Opera from 1913–14 and again from 1916–17.

From 1920–23, he lived in Australia. Upon returning to America, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1924 as Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, performing opposite Lucrezia Bori. He remained at the Metropolitan Opera until 1926 and also sang for several years at the Philadelphia Opera. In 1926, he took part in the Philadelphia premiere of Stravinsky’s opera Le Rossignol, and in 1929, he performed in the American premiere of E. Goossens’ opera Judith.

After 1930, he worked as a vocal coach in Newark and founded a touring opera company that traveled across North America. Occasionally, he performed alongside his daughter, the lyric soprano Martha Errolle. Later, he was appointed as a professor at Louisiana State University.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1909 Chicago Opera House Fra Diavolo

1913-14 and 1916-17 Chicago Opera House

1924 Metropolitan Opera Roméo et Juliette

1926 Philadelphia Opera House Le Rossignol

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

A little love, a little kiss (Silesu) 80397 3468 Edison 10 10 1917 New York, New York

Alice, where art thou? (Ascher) 80697 5982 Edison 1 24 1918 New York, New York

Answer (Robyn) 80771 5979 Edison 1 23 1918 New York, New York

Boheme (Puccini) Che gelida manina Test 5472 Edison, 3 26 1917 New York, New York

Bohemian girl (Balfe) Happy and light; I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls; Heart bow’d down; Come with the Gypsy bride; Then you’ll remember me; Oh, what full Brunswick 20020 X11990-X11992 New York, New York Brunswick Light Opera Company 11/27/1923

Carmen (Bizet) Parle-moi de ma mère (w. Case) 82560 6305 Edison, 8 4 1918 New York, New York

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Ave Maria 1061 Edison, 1912

Chimes of Normandy (Planquette) Silent heroes; That night I’ll ne’er forget; Just look at that; Song of the beggars; As he’s looking somewhat pale; Not a ghost at all; Legend of the bells 20020 X12059-X12062 Brunswick 12/7/1923 New York, New York

Floradora (Boyd-Jones-Stuart) Opening chorus; Shade of the palm; Tell me, pretty maiden; Queen of the Philippine Islands; I want to be a military man; Island of love  20021 X12063-X12066 Brunswick Light Opera Company 12/8/1923 New York, New York

Good night, little girl, good night (Macy) 80680 5844 Edison 10 11 1917 New York, New York

I hear you calling me (Marshall) 80811 5971 Edison 1 16 1918 New York, New York

In an old town (Squire) Test 6164 7 26 1918 Edison, New York, New York

Just dreaming of you (Eastman) 82179 5955 Edison 1 7 1918 New York, New York

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Verrano a te (w. Case) 80758 8496 Edison, 6 19 1922 New York, New York