Description

WERNER ALBERTI (GNESSIN, 21 JANUARY, 1860 – BERLIN, 29 NOVEMBER, 1934)

 

 

 

 

Werner Alberti (real name Werner Krzywonos) was born in Gnesen, Poland. Initially working as a bank employee in Berlin, he later pursued his musical studies with Martin Roder in Berlin and Mariano Padilla y Ramos, the husband of Désirée Artôt.

He made his debut as a concert singer in Berlin in 1887 and spent the 1887-88 season touring Germany and Switzerland. In 1888, he was engaged by Angelo Neumann at the German Theater in Prague, where he made his operatic debut as Manrico in Il Trovatore.

From Prague, Alberti made guest appearances at the Vienna State Opera in 1889, and he also performed in St. Petersburg and Moscow. He remained in Prague until 1894. In 1895, Alberti achieved notable success with guest performances at the Teatro Margherita in Genoa and the Teatro Lirico in Milan, where he performed under the direction of Pietro Mascagni.

From 1900 to 1902, he was engaged by the National Opera Theatre of Budapest. Afterward, he resided in Berlin and frequently appeared at the Kroll Opera. In 1903, he was a guest at the Vienna State Opera, performing as Wilhelm Meister in Mignon by Ambroise Thomas, and in 1905, he sang as Arnoldo in Gioachino Rossini’s Guglielmo Tell. In 1907, he performed at the State Opera in Dresden.

In 1917, Alberti made guest appearances in Bucharest and at the Teatro San Carlo in Lisbon. After his performing career, he worked as a pedagogue in Berlin.

Critics admired his voice for its metallic sheen and ringing top notes. Werner Alberti died in Berlin.

At the height of his popularity Werner Alberti got a contract for an American tour and arrived in New York to begin it. He then received a telegram that his mother was quite ill, broke his contract and immediately returned to Germany. He never got another chance to come to the United States.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1895 Genova Teatro Margherita Trovatore (Manrico)

1896 Lisbona Teatro San Carlos Lohengrin (Lohengrin)

1896 Lisbona Coliseo Recrejos Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

1897 Genova Teatro Carlo Felice Lohengrin (Lohengrin)

1897 Milano Teatro Lirico Cavalleria Rusticana (Turiddu)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Juive (Halévy) Recha, als Gott dich einst 34291 xB664 Odeon, Berlin 1905-09

Lohengrin (Wagner) Atmest du nicht 50505 xB2196-3 Odeon, Berlin 1908-07

Lohengrin (Wagner) Graalserzahlung 25728 xB2196-3 Odeon, Berlin 1908-07

Lohengrin (Wagner) Gralserzählung 34293 xB667 Odeon, Berlin 1905-09

Lohengrin (Wagner) In fernem Land 1-15411 1140-o- Favorite, Berlin 1906-01-11

Lohengrin (Wagner) In fernem Land 1067 Homokord, Berlin 1906-02-16

Lohengrin (Wagner) Nun sei bedankt (Schwanenlied) B839 1037 Homokord, Berlin 1906-10-02

Lohengrin (Wagner) Nun sei bedankt, mein lieber Schwan 50161 xB1659 Odeon, Berlin 1906 (autumn)

Martha (Flotow) Ach, so fromm 15010 Edison cylinders, Berlin 1904-08

Martha (Flotow) Mag der Himmel euch vergeben 34296 xB675 Odeon, Berlin 1905-09

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Morgenlich leuchtend 1-15378 1156-o Favorite, Berlin 1906-01-13

Meistersinger von Nûrnberg (Wagner) Preislied 34292 Bx665 Odeon, Berlin 1905-09

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Arioso 34279 xB661 Odeon, Berlin 1905-09

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Ich wünscht, daß ich im Fieber irrig gesehen 34285 xB674 Odeon, Berlin 1905-09

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Lache, Pajazzo 15046 Edison cylinders, Berlin 1904-03

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) No pagliaccio, non son B. 3563-I  14281 Beka, Berlin 1912-07