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. Aida (Verdi) Celeste Aida (RustBrooks 1912-03-10) 30992, A5396 Columbia, New York 1912-03-18
2. Am Meer (Schubert) D530 68596 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
3. Bohème (Puccini) Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen D535 68605 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 19121/913)
4. Der Lenz (Hildach) D531 68603 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
5. Die Post (Schubert) D530 68599 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
6. Gioconda (Ponchielli) Cielo e mar 36364, A5396 Columbia, New York 1912-04-11
7. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Ihr Wangenpaar D536 68607 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
8. Juive (Halévy) Gebet (w. chorus) D536 68610 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
9. Juive (Halévy) Recha, als Gott dich einst zur Tochter mir gegeben D534 68606 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
10. Königin von Saba (Goldmark) Am Fusse des Libanon D535 68608 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
11. Lohengrin (Wagner) Mein lieber Schwan (date) 30994, A5395 Columbia, New York 1912-03-18
12. Lohengrin (Wagner) Mein lieber Schwan D533 68601 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
13. Manon (Massenet) Flieh’, o flieh’ D534 68604 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
14. Manon (Massenet) Flieh, oh flieh holdes Bild 40322 Columbia, Wien 1904 (medio)
15. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Am stillen Herd D533 68600 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
16. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Preislied 36363, A5395 Columbia, New York 1912-04-10
17. Mondnacht (Schumann) D531 68598 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
18. Otello (Verdi) Ora e per sempre addio 30991 A5385 Columbia, New York 1912-03-18
19. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Erbarme Dich (w. NN (soprano) & chorus) D537 68609 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)
20. Trovatore (Verdi) Ah si ben mio 30993, A5385 Columbia, New York 1912-03-18
21. Ungeduld (Schubert) D532 68602 Columbia, Wien 1916 (other sources 1912/1913)