Description

OSCAR RALF (MALMÖ, 3 OCTOBER, 1881 – STOCKHOLM, 3 APRIL, 1964)

 

 

 

 

He was the older brother of the famous tenor Torsten Ralf (1901–1954) and the concert/oratorio singer Einar Ralf (1888–1971). He initially studied languages at the University of Lund but began performing as an operetta singer at the Södermalms Theater in Stockholm in 1905. In 1904, he toured the USA as the soloist tenor with the Lund University Choir.

From 1907 to 1917, he studied singing under the renowned baritone John Forsell and Gillis Bratt in Stockholm. He made his operatic debut in 1918 at the Royal Opera in Stockholm as Siegmund in Die Walküre. Until 1940, he enjoyed a successful career at the Royal Opera, where he was celebrated for his interpretations of roles in Wagner’s operas.

In Stockholm, he performed in the premieres of several operas, including Kronbruden by Ture Rangström (1922, as Mats), Nerone by Arrigo Boito (1926), Bäckahästen by Kurt Atterberg (as Kristoffer), and Nathanael Berg’s Engelbrekt. In 1927, he sang as Siegmund at the Bayreuth Festival and made a guest appearance at the Opéra-Comique in Paris as Tristan.

In 1925, he toured the USA. Later in his career, he expanded his repertoire to include operettas and became a prolific translator, publishing Swedish versions of approximately 40 opera and operetta librettos.

He was married to operetta singer Therese Björklund since 1908.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1905 Stockholm Södermalms Theater

1918-1940 Stockholm Royal Opera

1927 Bayreuth Festival

1927 Paris Opéra-Comique

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Ära vare Gud i höjden (Lotscher) 19026 Sto422 Odeon, Stockholm 1912
2. Ave Maria (Gounod) S42092 2279ar Polyphon, Stockholm 1923-03
3. Bordsvisa (Cevert & Lundmark) A148736 Sto1525 Odeon, Stockholm 1921
4. Der Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Ich knüpfte manche zarten Bande Ekophon NS 27
5. Gluntarne (Wennerberg) Ack i Arkadien (Magisterns flamma) (w. Johansson) 7-284017 3921ah Gramophone, Stockholm 1919-05-26
6. Gluntarne (Wennerberg) En solnedgång i Eklundshofsskogen (w. Johansson) 7-284018 3920ah Gramophone, Stockholm 1919-05-26
7. Gluntarne (Wennerberg) Gluntens svårmod (w. Bergström) 284111 2133y Gramophone, Stockholm 1911-10-18
8. Gluntarne (Wennerberg) Hulda skymning (w. Bergström) 284112 2134y Gramophone, Stockholm 1911-10-18
9. Hell dig, lif (Merikanto) 7-282154 3919ah Gramophone, Stockholm 1919-05-26
10. I rosens doft (Prins Gustaf) S42095 2305ar Polyphon, Stockholm 1923-03
11. Närmare Gud till dig (Mason) 19011 Sto533 Odeon, Stockholm 1913
12. O du heliga, o du saliga (trad) 19026 Sto421 Odeon, Stockholm 1912
13. Ormvisa (Melander) 282166, 887ah Gramophone, Stockholm 1910-10-20
14. Rosen i Provence (Örtengren) S42096 2281ar Polyphon, Stockholm 1923-03
15. Säg mig godnatt (Ray) 792 1085 Rolf Succès, Saltsjöbaden 1919-11
16. Salome (Stolz) NS1801 51485 Ekophon, Stockholm 1921-06
17. Säterjäntans söndag (Bull) 7-282153 3882ah Gramophone, Stockholm 1919-05-24
18. Ständchen (Schubert) S42097 2296ar Polyphon, Stockholm 1923-03
19. Under rönn och syrén (Palm) S42094 2304ar Polyphon, Stockholm 1923-03
20. Xerxes (Händel) Largo S42093 2280ar Polyphon, Stockholm 1923-03