Description

LEO SLEZAK (ŠUMPERK, CZECH REPUBLIC, 18 AUGUST, 1873 – ROTTACH-EGERN, GERMANY, 1 JUNE, 1946)

 

 

 

 

He began his career modestly, singing as an amateur in the choir of the local theater in Brünn (now Brno, Czech Republic), where his talent caught the attention of baritone Adolf Robinson. With Robinson’s encouragement, Slezak pursued formal vocal training.

In 1896, Slezak made his professional stage debut in Brünn, performing the role of Lohengrin, a part he would become renowned for. His rich voice, dramatic presence, and versatility quickly established him as one of the foremost tenors of his time, particularly in the Wagnerian repertoire. Over his illustrious career, Slezak performed in many of Europe’s leading opera houses, including the Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

In addition to his operatic achievements, Slezak was also known for his charismatic stage personality, and later in life, he appeared in films, further showcasing his multifaceted talents.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1896 Brünn (Brno) Stadttheater

1898 Berlin Hofoper

1899-1901 Wroclaw Opernhaus

1900 London Covent Garden

1901-1912 Vienna Hofoper

1901 Prague Deutschen Theater

1902 Zurich Stadttheater

1905 Brünn (Brno) Stadttheater

1905 Milan La Scala

1907 Lvov (Lwów) Opera

1907 Vienna Hofoper

1909 London Covent Garden

1909 Vienna Volksoper

1909 Paris Théâtre Châtelet

1910 Vienna Hofoper

1910 New York Metropolitan Opera

1910 New York Metropolitan Opera

1910 Boston Opera Otello (Otello)

1910 Boston Opera Trovatore (Manrico)

1911 New York Metropolitan Opera

1912 New York Metropolitan Opera

1912 Frankfurt a. M. Oper

1916 Dresden  Hofoper

1917 Frankfurt a. M. Oper

1917-1934 Vienna Hofoper

1918 Budapest

1920 Copenhagen

1920-1921 Stockholm

1922 Basel Stadttheater

1929 Berlin

1933 Vienna Hofoper

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Africaine (Meyerbeer) Land so wunderbar 50902 xB5674-2 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
2. Aida (Verdi) Holde Aida 38035 VX27 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
3. Aida (Verdi) Holde Aida 80076 xxB5676 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
4. Aida (Verdi) Tempelszene (Nume custode) (w. Hesch & chorus) 38042 XV52 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
5. Bohème (Puccini) Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen 38001 VX32 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
6. Bohème (Puccini) Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen 80074 xxB5681 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
7. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Siciliana 8060 V29 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
8. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Siciliana 38319, VX1442 Odeon, Wien 1906-04
9. Faust (Gounod) Gegrüßt sei mir, o heil’ge Stätte 80905 xxB5682 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
10. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Auftritt des Raoul 38000 XV21 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
11. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Ihr Wangenpaar 50747 xB5675 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
12. Juive (Halévy) Gebetsszene (w. Elizza) 38079 XV1450 Odeon, Wien 1906-04
13. Juive (Halévy) Recha, als Gott dich einst 80079 xxB5680 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
14. Königin von Saba (Goldmark) Am Fusse des Libanon (Magische Töne) 38002 VX1440 Odeon, Wien 1906-04
15. Louise (Charpentier) O Gesang von Paris (w. chorus) 38017 XV1453 Odeon, Wien 1906-04
16. Manon (Massenet) Flieh’ o flieh’ 38318 VX1437 Odeon, Wien 1906-04
17. Manon (Massenet) Flieh, o flieh 50903 xB5678 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
18. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Morgenlich leuchtend  38041 XV26 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
19. Otello (Verdi) Niun mi tema 80077, xxB5677 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
20. Otello (Verdi) Ora e per sempre addio 50900, xB5671 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
21. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Jetzt spielen 50744, xB5673 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
22. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Scherzet nur immer (Arioso) 38036 VX94 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
23. Prophète (Meyerbeer) Herr, dich in den Sternenkreisen 50746 xB5672 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06
24. Prophète (Meyerbeer) Pastorale 8059 V24 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
25. Rigoletto (Verdi) Ach wie so trügerisch  22072 VX1435 Odeon, Wien 1906-04
26. Rigoletto (Verdi) O, wie so trügerisch 38015 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
27. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Dir töne Lob 38302 XV1436 Odeon, Wien 1906-04
28. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Dir töne Lob! 8024 V28 Odeon, Wien 1904 (late)
29. Trovatore (Verdi) Daß nur für mich dein Herz erbebt 80078 xxB5679 Odeon, Berlin 1912-06