Description

 OSKAR BOLZ (MAGDEBURG, 1875 – ZOPPOT, 1935)

 

 

 

 

He initially studied dentistry at the University of Berlin, earning his doctorate and practicing as a dentist. He later pursued vocal training at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin, which marked the start of his singing career in 1900 at the municipal theater in Olmütz (Olomouc). He continued performing at theaters in Barmen, Aachen (1902–1903), and Mainz before joining the Stuttgart Court Opera in 1905. There, he gained significant acclaim for his performances as Raoul in Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots and Siegfried.

In 1906, he participated in the German premiere of Giordano’s Siberia in Stuttgart, singing the role of Wassili. Seeking further vocal refinement, he studied under Lamperti and Sibella in Milan. This led to guest performances at prestigious venues, including the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, as well as in Madrid, Amsterdam, and Paris. In 1907, his portrayal of Herod in Richard Strauss’s Salome in Paris received widespread admiration; it became his signature role, performed over 200 times throughout his career.

From 1912 to 1913, he performed at the Hamburg City Theater and returned to the Stuttgart Court Opera from 1913 to 1918. He continued his career at the City Theater in Halle/Saale (1918–1920) and the City Theater in Nuremberg (1920–1921). In 1922, Max von Schillings engaged him at the Berlin State Opera, where he excelled in heroic roles, including Tristan, Radames, and Othello.

His guest performances included appearances at the court operas in Vienna (notably as Othello in 1911), Dresden, and Munich; at the court theaters in Karlsruhe, Wiesbaden, Mannheim, and Hanover; and at opera houses in Riga, Leipzig, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, and Budapest. He also performed at the Komische Oper Berlin (1908).

Notable stage roles included:

John of Leyden in Meyerbeer’s Le Prophète

Éléazar in Halévy’s La Juive

Don José in Carmen

Max in Der Freischütz

Rienzi in Wagner’s Rienzi

Siegmund in Die Walküre

Siegfried in Der Ring des Nibelungen

Lohengrin in Wagner’s Lohengrin

Pedro in d’Albert’s Tiefland

Riccardo in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera

The title roles in Armer Heinrich and Palestrina by Hans Pfitzner

Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana

Cavaradossi in Tosca

After retiring from the stage, he opened a stage agency in Berlin in 1925 but later settled in Munich. Tragically, he died of heatstroke while swimming on the Baltic coast.

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Juive (Halévy) Recha, als Gott dich einst zur Tochter mir gegeben P1142 Parlophon, Berlin 1912-01-29
2. Lohengrin (Wagner) Das süsse Lied verhallt, wir sind allein with Erna Denera 2-19012 Parlophon, Berlin 1913
3. Lohengrin (Wagner) Wenn ich im Kampfe für dich siege with Erna Denera 2-19011 Parlophon, Berlin 1913
4. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Am stillen Herd Favorite 1-015154 3057-b+
5. Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Preislied Favorite 1-015155 3058-b +
6. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Jetzt spielen P1150 Parlophon, Berlin 1912-01-30
7. Trovatore (Verdi) Daß nur für mich dein Herz erbebt P1144 Parlophon, Berlin 1912-01-29
8. Trovatore (Verdi) Ständchen & Stretta P1148 Parlophon, Berlin 1912-01-30
9. Walküre (Wagner) Liebeslied X64937 xB3763 Odeon, Berlin 1908-07
10. Walküre (Wagner) Siegmund heiß’ ich X64966, xB3764 Odeon, Berlin 1908-07
11. Walküre (Wagner) Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond Odeon O-6274 a xxBo 8525-3