Description

MAX BLOCH (MARIO BREFELLI) (GERMANY, 1882 – NEW YORK, 1943)

He studied under Frau Pockal in Berlin and made his debut in 1910 at the Komische Oper in Berlin. In the 1911-12 season, he appeared at the Kurfürstenoper in Berlin and was then engaged for the 1912-14 seasons by the Deutsche Oper in Berlin. Starting in 1914, he became a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where his debut role was the Majordomo in Der Rosenkavalier. He remained with the Metropolitan Opera until 1918 and then again from 1922 to 1930. At the Met, he sang not only Tenor-Buffo and Comprimario roles but also excelled in star roles such as David in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Mime in Siegfried. He also appeared in the Metropolitan Opera premieres of Madame Sans-Gêne by U. Giordano (January 25, 1915), Goyescas by E. Granados (January 28, 1916), and The Canterbury Pilgrims by R. de Koven (1917). He retired from the stage in 1930. He was also a respected concert singer. Listening to his recordings, one might think he was a major tenor of his time. Indeed, he had a powerful voice despite his diminutive stature, which might have belied his suitability for leading roles. Nevertheless, he made several fine recordings, including some Italian and French arias under the name Mario Brefelli.

TRACKLIST

1. Aida (Verdi) Celeste Aida (as Brefelli) National Music Lovers 1025 LL203
2. Bruder Straubinger (Eysler) Küssen ist keine Sünd’! Victor 73653 B27074
3. Freischütz (Weber) Durch die Wälder, durch die Auen Victor 68667 C30211
4. In meiner Heimat (Hildach) Victor 73105 B25547
5. La Juive (Halevy) Rachel, quand du Seigneur Emerson 13191
6. Lohengrin (Wagner) In fernem Land Victor 68667 C30212
7. Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Sextet (as Music Lovers’ Stellar Quartet) National Music Lovers 1025-A
8. Morgen muss ich fort von hier (Folk Song) Columbia 86452 E7494
9. O’ Tannenbaum, o’ Tannenbaum (trad) (w. Gerhardt) Columbia 58256
10. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Vesti la giubba National Music Lovers 1029-B
11. Rienzi (Wagner) Allmacht’ger Vater Columbia E5221 59678
12. Rigoletto (Verdi) Bella figlia (as Music Lovers’ Stellar Quartet) National Music Lovers 1024-B
13. Rigoletto (Verdi) La donna è mobile (as Brefelli) National Music Lovers 1024 LL201
14. Röslein, Röslein (Folk Song) with J. Sembach and O. Goritz Columbia 43950 E3515
15. Schwarzwaldmädel (Jessel) Lachende Augen (w. Fleischer) Victor 77902 B31622
16. Tosca (Puccini) E lucevan le stelle Emerson 10340
17. Undine (Lortzing) Vater, Mutter, Schwestern, Brüder Victor 73276 B26157
18. Zigeunerbaron (Strauss) Wer hat euch denn getraut (w. Fleischer) Victor 68660 C29625
19. Zigeunerliebe (Lehár) Zorika, kehre zurück Victor 73653 B27303
20. Zwei dunkle Augen (Heins) Victor 73105 B25546