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 55904 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
2. Aida (Verdi) Holde Aida 55901 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
3. Bohème (Puccini) Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen 55907 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
4. Guillaume Tell (Rossini) O Mathilde 19051 Pathé Artistical-Record cylinders & discs, Wien 1904 (late)
5. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Auftrittslied des Raoul 19050 Pathé Artistical-Record cylinders & discs, Wien 1904 (late)
6. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Ihr Wangenpaar 55903 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
7. Juive (Halévy) Grosse Arie des Eleazor 38102 Pathé Artistical-Record cylinders & discs, Wien 1905 (early)
8. Juive (Halévy) Recha, als Gott 55902 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
9. Lohengrin (Wagner) Abschied 55909 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
10. Lohengrin (Wagner) Fragmente 19052 Pathé Artistical-Record cylinders & discs, Wien 1904 (late)
11. Lohengrin (Wagner) Gralserzählung 55911 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
12. Manon (Massenet) Flieh! o flieh! 19053 Pathé Artistical-Record cylinders & discs, Wien 1904 (late)
13. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Am stillen Herd 55910 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
14. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Preislied 38103 Pathé Artistical-Record cylinders & discs, Wien 1905 (early)
15. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Preislied 55905, Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
16. Prophète (Meyerbeer) Triumphgesang 55900 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
17. Rigoletto (Verdi) O wie so trügerisch 38101 Pathé Artistical-Record cylinders & discs, Wien 1905 (early)
18. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Dir, töne Lob 55906 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
19. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Zum Heil der Sündigen 55908 Pathé, Berlin (Wien) 1913
20. Trovatore (Verdi) Stretta 38100 Pathé Artistical-Record cylinders & discs, Wien 1905 (early)