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 (Romeo)

1926 Philadelphia Opera House Le Rossignol (-)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Mikado (Sullivan) We are gentlemen of Japan; Song of the sea; A wandering minstrel; Three little maids; Moon song; Behold the Lord High Executioner; Finale, act 1 Part 1 20018 X11993-X11994 Brunswick Light Opera Company 11/27/1923 New York, New York

Mikado (Sullivan) Entrance of the Mikado; Emperor of Japan; My object all sublime; The flowers that bloom in the spring; Tit-willow; He’s gone and married Yum; Finale, with joyous shout Part 2 20018 X11975-X11977 Brunswick Light Opera Company 11/26/1923 New York, New York

Moon song; Behold the Lord High Executioner; Finale, act 1 Part 1 20018 X11993-X11994 Br

Mother, my dear (Treherne) 82148 6346 Edison 9 4 1918 New York, New York

My dreams (Tosti) 80603 5978 Edison, 1 23 1918 New York, New York

Rigoletto (Verdi) E il sol dell’anima (w. Case) 80758 8505 Edison 6 26 1922 New York, New York

Robin Hood (De Koven)  A hunting we’ll go; Serenade; Armorer’s song; Oh, promise me; Sweetheart, my own sweetheart; Ho then for jollity; Finale Part 2 20016 X11905-X11908 Brunswick Light Opera Company 11/17/1923 New York, New York

Robin Hood (De Koven) Then hey! For the merry Greenwood; Come, dream so bright; Brown October ale; Tinkers’ chorus; Farewell, until we meet again; Come away to the woods Part 1 20016  X11883-X11885 Brunswick Light Opera Company 11/14/1923 New York, New York

 Roi d’Ys (Lalo) Aubade 82560 5838 Edison, 10 8 1917 New York, New York

Roméo et Juliette (Gounod) Ah, ne fuis pas encore (w. Verlet) 82299 5967 Edison 1 14 1918 New York, New York

Roméo et Juliette (Gounod) Ange adorable (w. Verlet) 82211 5961 Edison 1 9 1918 New York, New York

Sweet Genevieve (Tucker) 80771 5981 Edison 1 24 1918 New York, New York

The chocolate soldier (Oscar Straus) We are marching through the night; We, too, are lonely; My hero; That would be lovely; Letter duet; Thank the Lord the war is  over; Finale 20021 X12133-X1

The magic of your eyes (Penn) 82161 6734 Edison 4 18 1919 New York, New York

The sweetest story ever told (Stults) 80811 5960 1 9 1918 Edison New York, New York