Description

CARL JÖKEN (KREFELD, GERMANY, 3 NOVEMBER, 1893 – HAMBURG, GERMANY, 7 APRIL, 1971)

Early Training: Initially studying chemistry, he served as a soldier during World War I from 1914 to 1918. Without formal vocal training, he made his debut in 1918 at the Stadttheater of Krefeld as Manrico in Trovatore.

Debut: His professional debut was in 1918 at the Stadttheater of Krefeld in the role of Manrico in Il Trovatore.

Career:

• 1920-1923 Seasons: He was a soloist at the Stadttheater in Freiburg i. Br., where he built his early career.
• Berlin Staatsoper (1923-1934): He appeared in various roles including Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, and participated in the Berlin premiere of L. Janáček’s Jenufa (1924). His repertoire included both dramatic roles like Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Rodolfo in La Bohème, and Cavaradossi in Tosca, as well as buffo roles such as Pedrillo in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Don Curzio and Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro, David in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and Mime in the Ring cycle.
• Berlin State Opera (1928-1934): He also appeared in the world premiere of Franz Schreker’s Der singende Teufel. Additionally, he performed at the Berlin Kroll Opera, including the 1927 premiere of Kurt Weill’s Royal Palace.

Further Performances:

• Metropol Theater, Berlin (1930): Achieved significant success in operettas such as Millöcker’s Bettelstudent and Kálmán’s Das Veilchen vom Montmartre.
• Amsterdam and Covent Garden (1930): Sang in Die Fledermaus under Bruno Walter, with the performance repeated at Covent Garden in London.
• Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires (1931-1932): Worked primarily in buffo repertoire and participated in the premiere of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex.
• Berlin Theater of the West (1933): Achieved major successes in operettas, including the world premieres of Künnecke’s Die lockende Flamme (1933), Der Page des Königs (1933), and Walter W. Goetze’s Der goldene Pierrot.

Later Career:

• Continued to perform into 1956, including appearances at the Hamburg Operetta Theater.

Personal Life:

• Married actress and cabaret artist Käthe König. With his second wife, Edith Schollwer, a performer in operettas, he made several recordings for Electrola.

TRACKLIST

1. Der Vogelhändler (Zeller) Schenkt man sich Rosen in Tirol with E. Jolan Schallplatten-Volksverband T 541 03351m1
2. Der Zigeunerbaron (Strauss) Wer uns getraut with E. Jolan Schallplatten-Volksverband T 542 03348m1
3. Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart) Nie werd’ ich deine Huld verkennen with E. Berger, A. Kern, M. Hirzel, E. Kandl Grammophon 35005-B
4. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Quintett, Selig wie die Sonne with E. Berger, E. Ruziczka-Schmidt, M. Hirzel and K. A. Neumann Grammophon 35006-A
5. Die Uhr Ballade (Loewe) Kalliope 11205
6. Mattinata (Leoncavallo) Brillant-Special 13456
7. O du fröhliche Electro Eltag 11177
8. Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Gruber) Electro Eltag 11176
9. Te Deum (Bruckner) Te Deum laudamus (w. von Stetten, Stern, Hess van der Wyk & Bruckner-Chor) Odeon O-6572 xxB7901
10. Te Deum (Bruckner) Tu rex gloriae, Christe! (w. von Stetten, Stern, Hess van der Wyk & Bruckner-Chor) Odeon O-6572 xxB7902
11. Tom der Reimer Ballade (Loewe) Kalliope 11204
12. Martha (Flotow) Ach, so fromm Kristall 6097
13. Martha (Flotow) Mag der Himmel euch vergeben Kristall 6097
14. Im Reich des Indra (Strasser) Es war einmal Kristall 6111
15. Hast du schon einmal zugleich geweint, gelacht (Millöcker) Kristall 6111
16. Junger Wein (Jessel) Junger Wein und junge Liebe with Edith Schollwer Kristall 6119
17. Der Graf von Luxemburg (Lehar) Mädel klein-Mädel fein with Edith Schollwer Kristall 6119
18. Der Freischütz (Weber) Durch die Wälder Kristall 6099
19. Udine (Lortzing) Vater, Mutter, Schwestern, Brüder Kristall 6099
20. Die Fledermaus (Strauss) Glücklich ist, wer vergißt Kristall 6085