Description

THEO KARLE (THEO KARLE JOHNSTON) (PERRY, IOWA, JULY 30, 1893 – SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, MAY 07, 1972)

 

 

 

 

His career began in the way that was typical for many American singers of the period, as a soloist in church services and oratorio performances. After gaining recognition in the United States as a concert singer, he traveled to Paris for further vocal studies and made his operatic debut at the Opéra-Comique. From 1927 to 1930, he was active in France, appearing primarily at the Opéra-Comique and the Opera of Monte Carlo. In 1930, he returned to his homeland, where he became a major star of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) radio broadcasts until 1934. At the same time, beginning in 1933, he served as a voice teacher at the New York School of Vocal Art while continuing his successful concert career. He was the tenor of a well-known vocal quartet of the 1930s, which also included soprano Marie Tiffany, contralto Lenox, and bass-baritone Richard Bonelli. Before his departure for Europe, he had already made a number of acoustic recordings for Brunswick Records, although all of them consisted of light popular music rather than classical repertoire.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1927 Paris Opéra-Comique Barbiere di Siviglia (Almaviva)

1927 Paris Opéra-Comique Tosca (Cavaradossi)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Little mother of mine (Burleigh) 13001 3287-3288 Brunswick approximately December 1919 New York, New York

Macushla (MacMurrough) 13006 3562 Brunswick, New York 1920-01

Martha (Flotow) Good night quartet (w. Bonelli, Lennox & Tiffany as The Music Art Singers) 13051 8098 Brunswick, New York 1922-05

Mattinata (Leoncavallo) 18021 B-17335 3 27 1916 Victor Camden, New Jersey

Mavis (Craxton) 13006 3608 Brunswick, New York 1920-02

Mikado (Sullivan) Madrigal (w. Bonelli, Lennox & Tiffany as The Music Art Singers) 13051 8101 Brunswick, New York 1922-05

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

Mother my dear (Treharne) 5123 7247 Brunswick approximately January 1922 New York, New York

My Wild Irish Rose (Olcott) 07A 2700-3 Linden

My Wild Irish Rose (Olcott) 13010 3831 Brunswick approximately July 1920 New York, New York. 16 West 36th Street

Nobody knows de trouble I’ve seen (Burleigh) 13025 5390 approximately April 1921 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

Roses in June (German) 5127 6811-6812 approximately November 1921 New York, New York