Description

CARL BAUM (WÜRZBURG, GERMANY, 1880 – ?)

He made his debut in 1906 in Bremen as Tamino. Over the next five years, he established himself as a well-regarded jugendlicher Heldentenor. Baum aspired to transition to heavier roles, but his ambitions were hindered by the presence of Fritz Trostorff. In 1911, he moved to Breslau and, by 1912, had transferred to Eberfeld, later joining Chemnitz in 1915. Although he was a respected tenor in Chemnitz, he faced competition for heavier roles from Willy Zilken and Peter Unkel, which limited his dominance in the repertoire.

Baum made guest appearances in major cities, including Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Hannover, Hamburg, Zürich, and Rotterdam. Notably, he sang Lohengrin on February 14, 1914, at the Groote Schouwburg and Die Meistersinger on March 11, 1914, also at the Groote Schouwburg, both conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch, alongside distinguished casts featuring Hans Erl, Greta van’t Sant-Jousson, and others.

His repertoire included roles such as Florestan, Max, Erik, Walther von Stolzing, Lohengrin, Parsifal, Galba (Die toten Augen by Eugen d’Albert), Ridicolo (Der eiserne Heiland by Oberleithner), Narraboth, Raoul, Vasco da Gama, Eléazar, Faust, Don José, Hoffmann, Ernesto, Manrico, Canio, and Rodolfo. He retired from the stage in 1931.

Chronology of some appearances

1906 Bremen Opera House

1911 Breslau Opera House

1912 Eberfeld Opera House

1915 Chemnitz Opera House

TRACKLIST

1. Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach) Hörst du es tönen (w. Müller-Reichel) 2-24126 10188L Gramophone, Bremen 1909-11
2. Lohengrin (Wagner) Abschied von Elsa 2-22168 10178L Gramophone, Bremen 1909-11
3. Lohengrin (Wagner) Gralserzählung 2-22167 10177L Gramophone, Bremen 1909-11
4. Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Duett (w. Rödiger) 2-24128 10189L Gramophone, Bremen 1909-11
5. Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Im weiten Weltall (w. Rittmann) 2-24127 10183L Gramophone, Bremen 1909-11
6. Martha (Flotow) Ja! Seit früher Kindheit Tagen (w. Rittmann) 1-19274 Favorite
7. Rigoletto (Verdi) Freunlich blick’ ich 1-15701 1230-b Favorite, 1909-05-25
8. Rigoletto (Verdi) O wie so trügerisch 1-15702 1231-b Favorite, 1909-05-25
9. Trovatore (Verdi) Miserere (w. Thomas-Schwartz) 1-19368 Favorite
10. Mein Lied (Sabathil) X-2-22166 Zonophone, Bremen 1909-11
11. Carmen (Bizet) Blumenarie X-2-22165 Zonophone, Bremen 1909-11
12. Lohengrin (Wagner) In fernem Land AA 79404 xxB 6605 Odeon