Description

ARNOLD GABOR (BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 18 AUGUST, 1880 – NEW YORK, 15 JULY, 1950)

Born into a Jewish family, he pursued vocal training in Berlin and Italy, quickly gaining recognition in South German opera houses during the early 20th century. In 1911, he joined the Budapest People’s Opera, later achieving significant acclaim at the Budapest National Opera. In 1914, he created the role of Amfortas in the Hungarian premiere of Wagner’s Parsifal, a landmark in his career. That same year, he returned to Germany, where he performed at various opera houses, including Dessau, where in 1920, he participated in the premiere of Oscar von Chelius’s Magda Maria.

In 1923, he joined the Metropolitan Opera in New York, debuting as the Nachtwächter in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. Over an 18-year tenure, he became a respected member of the company, performing numerous comprimario roles alongside prominent parts such as Alberich and Klingsor in Parsifal. In the 1931-32 season, he made guest appearances at the San Francisco Opera. After retiring from the stage in 1941, he focused on music education in New York.

His brother, Jozsef Gabór (1879–1929), also had a notable career as a tenor at the Budapest National Opera from 1904 to 1913.

Chronology of some appearances

1911 Budapest People’s Opera

1914 Budapest National Opera

1920 Dessau Opera House

1923 New York Metropolitan Opera

TRACKLIST

1. Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach): Leuchte heller Spiegel 79116 xxB6828 Odeon, Berlin 1923-01-26
2. Melodie (Eile, o Serenade) (Tosti) 79356 xxB6851 Odeon, Berlin 1923-04-01
3. Königskinder (Humperdinck): Ihr Kindlein, sie sind gefunden B8644 51097 Homocord, Berlin 1923-06-02
4. Don Carlo (Verdi): So höre, es drängt die Zeit B8644 51098 Homocord, Berlin 1923-06-02
5. Zazа (Leoncavallo): Zazа, piccola zingara HB-2136 51101 Homocord, Berlin 1923-06-02
6. Madama Butterfly (Puccini): Ich sagt’ es Euch schon damals with Franz Gruber B8236 51144 Homocord, Berlin 1923-06-23
7. Otello (Verdi): Oh, dass er tausend Leben hätt’ empfangen with Franz Gruber B8236 51145 Homocord, Berlin 1923-06-23
8. Faust (Gounod): Ecoute-moi bien, Marguerite B8444 51185 Homocord, Berlin 1923-08-13
9. Faust (Gounod): Avant de quitter ces lieux B8444 51188 Homocord, Berlin 1923-08-13
10. Maria Mari! (di Capua) 3382 Vox, Berlin 1923
11. Hamlet (Thomas): Monologue 8218 M51089 Homocord, Berlin 1923
12. Hamlet (Thomas): Trinklied 8218 M51090 Homocord, Berlin 1923
13. Rigoletto (Verdi) Cortigiani, vil razza dannata! 03372 Vox, Berlin 1923-09