Description

WÄINÖ SOLA (HELSINKI, FINLAND JANUARY 8, 1883 – HELSINKI, FINLAND OCTOBER 12, 1961)

Sola was also one of the founder of the innish Opera. Sola had his first stage experience at he age of 15 in the choir and drama club of the Kilpi Temperance Society. Sola was soon invited to participate in other stage activities in a semi-professional activity capacity. In 1903 the author Jalmari Finne asked him to join a theatrical company, he was founding in Viborg. This company presented plays, operettas and operas. After a near fiasco as Canio with John Forsell as Tonio, Sola decided he needed more training. Sola studied with Ettore Gandolfi in Berlin in1908. Sola debuted in a concert in Helsinki on December 9th 1908 with Oskar Merikanto at the piano. Sola continued his studies in Berlin (1909-10), Paris (1910) and Milano (1911). In 1911, Sola founded with Merikanto, Eino Rautavaara, and William Hammar the first regular Opera Company in Finland. The opening night was on October 2nd 1911 with Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana. Sola sang both tenor roles. In 1916, Sola spent time in prison for his role in the underground independence movement. The Russian revolution got him out of jail. From 1920, Sola held with the company regular positions both as tenor and stage director until his retirement in 1949. Sola appeared in more than 100 operas and operettas. Sola also continued his career as concert singer, promoting the songs of Merikanto, Kuula and Sibelius. Sola appeared in hundreds of recitals and made four tours of the United States. Sola started recording in 1909 with Pathé. In 1919, Sola recorded with the Gramophone Company. He made close to 100 sides with them. During his visits in the US, Sola recorded with Columbia and Victor. In 1944, Sola recorded for the last time with the Rytmi label. Sola recorded an aria of the opera Nummisuutarit by Emil Kauppi. The premiere of that work in was of a fiasco. Apparently Kauppi disappeared forever as a result. He is thought to have drowned himself.

TRACKLIST

1. Bygatan utför (Merikanto) 27023 Pathé, Helsinki 1909
2. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Juomalaulu (Viva il vino) 2-282271 4745ab Gramophone, Helsinki 1913-01-24
3. Kullanmurunen (Merikanto) 2-282950 19764b Gramophone, Stockholm 1915-11-07
4. Kullanmurunen (Merikanto) X2805 Bw1693 HMV, Helsinki 1928-06-01
5. Laps’ Suomen älä vaihda pois (O Hellas barn) (Pacius) X2811 Bw1670 HMV, Helsinki 1928-05-30
6. Ma elän 27025 Pathé, Helsinki 1909
7. Maamme (Vårt land) (Pacius) 2-282977 19742b Gramophone, Stockholm 1915-11-06
8. Miksi laulan (Merikanto) X2805 Bw1693 HMV, Helsinki 1928-06-01
9. Miksi laulan (Merikanto) 2-282950 19764b Gramophone, Stockholm 1915-11-07
10. Milloin raukka onnen saan (Kauppi) 2-282951 19763b Gramophone, Stockholm 1915-11-07
11. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba 2-282270 4743ab Gramophone, Helsinki 1913-01-24
12. Regina von Emmeritz (Söderman) Juomalaulu (Dryckessång) 2-282972 19755b Gramophone, Stockholm 1915-11-06
13. Sä kasvoit neito kaunoinen (trad, arr Merikanto) X2376 Bw125 HMV, Berlin 1926-07-15
14. Se qvisten skälfver (Merikanto) 27022 Pathé, Helsinki 1909
15. Se rakkaus 3016-F W106003 Columbia, New York 1925-11
16. Sotilaspoika (Soldatgossen) (Pacius) 2-282969 19756b Gramophone, Stockholm 1915-11-06
17. Suomalainen kansanlalu 27021 Pathé, Helsinki 1909
18. Suutelo (Kuula) 282789 4370ab Gramophone, Helsinki 1912-09-25
19. Syystunnelma (Kuula) X2376 Bw111 HMV, Berlin 1926-07-14
20. Ties Luoja ken sua suutelee (I wonder who’s kissing her now) (Howard) Victor 78258