Description

BERNHARD BÖTEL (HAMBURG, 3 JULY, 1883 – BERLIN, 3 NOVEMBER, 1953)

 

 

 

 

He studied singing under Mathieu Lorent in Hamburg and later with Ernst Grenzebach in Berlin, honing his vocal skills before making his operatic debut in 1905 at the Municipal Theatre of Aachen as Lancelot in Audran’s operetta La Poupée. His career took off when he joined the Komische Oper in Berlin, where he achieved significant success, particularly in the role of Hoffmann in Hoffmanns Erzählungen. During his four-year tenure in Berlin, he became known for his performances in Buffo roles as well.

In 1907, Bötel took part in the English premiere of Hoffmanns Erzählungen at the Adelphi Theatre in London as a comprimario, further broadening his international exposure. Vienna soon became another hub for his career as he transitioned into operetta, first performing at the Vienna Opera House. Between 1912 and 1914, he was active at the Raimund Theatre in Vienna, where he participated in the premiere of Franz Lehár’s Der Graf von Luxemburg on November 17, 1909.

After spending the 1914-1915 season at the Municipal Theatre of Halle/Saale, Bötel returned to Berlin, where he became a respected Tenor-Buffo at the Berlin Urban Opera during the 1920s. His talents as an operetta singer were also in demand, and he became a favored stage partner of the famous operetta diva Fritzi Massary. From 1928 to 1931, he performed at the Berlin Kroll Opera before retiring from the stage in 1935.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1905 Aachen Municipal Theatre

1906 Berlin Komische Oper

1907 London Adelphi Theatre

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Belle Hélène (Offenbach) Da es doch nur ein Traum ist (w. Massary) 044305 1205m Gramophone, Berlin 1918
2. Belle Hélène (Offenbach) Ja, ein Traum (w. Massary) 044304 1204m Gramophone, Berlin 1918
3. Berlin- Wien! (Carl Witt) Gramophone 942768 13525
4. Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Ich setz’ den Fall (w. Stolzenberg) 2-944299 18187½L Gramophone, Berlin 1915
5. Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Nur das Eine bitt’ ich dich (w. Stolzenberg) 2-944298 18186L Gramophone, Berlin 1915
6. Die weisse Dame (Boieldieu) Cavatine Komm, o holde Dame Odeon AA 57718 xxBo 7183
7. Fledermaus (Strauss) O je, o je, wie rürht mich dies! (w. van Endert) Gramophone 2-944267 18115L
8. Glücksmädel (Stolz) Wiener Frauen, Wiener Musik A. B. C. Grand Record 996a
9. Graf von Luxemburg (Lehár) Boheme-Duett (w. Kartousch) (o Lehár) 3-44061 1850ab Gramophone, Wien 1909
10. Graf von Luxemburg (Lehár) Liebe, o wie zuckersüss (w. Kartousch) 3-44057 Gramophone, Wien 1909
11. Graf von Luxemburg (Lehár) Mädel klein, Mädel fein (w. Kartousch) 3-44062 1852ab Gramophone, Wien 1909
12. Hans und Liesel Volkslied (w. van Endert) Gramophone 45046 18788 l
13. Hoffmanns Erzählungen (Offenbach) Es war einmal am Hofe von Eisenack Odeon AA 57717 xxBo 7182
14. Le postillon de Longjumeau (Adam) Mes amis écoutez l’histoire Odeon AA 79238 xxBo 7404
15. Mein einz’ger Gedanke bist du (B. Seidler-Winkler) Gramophone 942777 13541
16. Verhexte Wienerstadt (E. Darewski) Komm Schatz, in den Stadtpark A. B. C. Grand Record 996b
17. Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume (Rudolf Sieczynski) Gramophone 942767 13525
18. Zigeunerbaron (Strauss) Saffi (w. Holm) A. B. C. Grand Record 1024
19. Zirkuskind (Eysler) Duett (w. Holm) A. B. C. Grand Record 1024