Description

VICTOR WILLIAM OPFERMAN (LONDON, 14 DECEMBER 1872, – LONDON, 1931)

 

 

 

 

Victor Opferman was a London-based violinist, chamber musician, and recording director active in the early decades of the 20th century. He was born in London to Johann August Opferman, of German origin, and Caroline Hönig.

Opfermann was active in London’s musical life at a time when German musicians played a significant role in British concert and recording culture. Census records place him in Streatham in 1901 and later in Wandsworth in 1911, confirming his long-term professional presence in the capital.

He is particularly notable for his involvement with the early British recording industry. When the German record label Dacapo, originally founded in 1907, entered the British market around 1910, Opferman was appointed musical director for the London recordings. During this period (circa 1910–1912), the London agent for the label was William Barraud. Dacapo’s British issues, beginning with catalogue number 1 and priced at 2 shillings and 6 pence, were visually similar to Zonophone records—likely a deliberate marketing strategy.

As a chamber musician, Opferman led the Opfermann-Quartett, which made recordings for Homocord, further establishing his role in the transition from live performance to early commercial recording. His work places him among the generation of musicians who helped shape Britain’s pre-war recorded classical repertoire.

Victor Opferman died in 1931.

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Ave Maria (Bach-Gounod) Edison Bell 10066

Bill at the Music Hall Edison Bell 6724

Cavatina (Raff) Edison Bell 10324

Chanson du printemps (Mendelssohn) Clarion 215

Chanson Polonaise Winner 2048

Mary of Argyle Edison Bell 10056

Mazurka (Wieniawski) Zonophone 696

Opfermann-Quartett Ave Maria (Gounod) Homocord B.1395  M 60620

Paderewski Minuet (Paderewski) with Olly Oakley (banjo) Gennett 4675-A

Slumber song Winner 2048

The buskers with Olly Oakley (banjo) and Stanley Kirkby (baritone) Winner 2124