Description

ALBERT REISS (BERLIN, GERMANY, 22 FEBRUARY 1870 – NICE, FRANCE, 19 JUNE, 1940)

He was first an actor in Hamburg (1889-97) and then his voice was discovered. He studied in Berlin and made his operatic debut as Ivanov in Lortzing’s Zar und Zimmermann at Königsberg in East Prussia in 1897. He then sang at Posen (1898-99), and at Wiesbaden (1899-1901). In 1901 he was engaged by the Metropoltan Opera and remained there until 1919 as principal buffo tenor. At the Met, in 18 seasons he sang 56 roles in 1,069 performances. His most famous roles were as Mime in Siegfried, which he sang 65 times, and David in Die Meistersinger, which he sang at 80 performances. He also sang Nick in the world premiere of Fanciulla del West in 1910 and the role of the Broommaker in the world premiere of Humperdinck’s Königskinder that same year. In 1919 he returned to Germany, where he was engaged by the Berlin Volksoper and later made guest appearances at the Berlin Opera. Reiss also sang successfully at London’s Covent Garden starting in 1901, and ended his career there as Mime in 1929. Upon leaving the stage, he retired to Nice, France, where he died in 1940. Reiss is probably best remembered today for appearing on recordings as Mime opposite Lauritz Melchior’s Siegfried.

TRACKLIST

1. Gasparone (Millöcker) Er soll dein Herr sein Victor B-10132 64187
2. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Selig, wie die Sonne (w. Van Hoose, Gadski, Journet &  Mattfeld) Victor C-5043 95201
3. Nord Express (from Schon war’s doch) Hollaender Victor 64214
4. Siegfried (Wagner) Wohin schleichst du (w. Goritz) Victor 64215 B-10170
5. Siegfried (Wagner) Zwangvolle Plage! Victor 74235 C-10131
6. Siegfried (Wagner) Siegfried beschliesst, das Fürchten zu lernen (w. Melchior) HMV D1690 2-044059 HMV, London 1929-05-16
7. Siegfried (Wagner) Siegfried schmiedet das Schwert I. Teil (w. Melchior) HMV 2-044060
8. Siegfried (Wagner) Siegfried schmiedet das Schwert II. Teil (w. Melchior) HMV 2-044061
9. Siegfried (Wagner) Siegfried spaltet den Amboss mit seinem Schwerte (w. Melchior) HMV 2-044062
10. Siegfried (Wagner) Hammer Song (w. Anthes) Mapleson cylinder, 19 January 1903
11. Siegfried (Wagner) Hammer Song (w. Anthes) Mapleson cylinder, 19 January 1903 IRCC
12. Siegfried (Wagner) Hammer Song (w. Anthes) Mapleson cylinder, 19 January 1903 IRCC