Description

RUDOLF GERLACH-RUSNAK (DUBOUTZ, UKRAINE 24. 7. 1895 † MUNICH, GERMANY 23. 1. 1960)

 

 

 

 

His real name was Orest Rusnak. Of Ukrainian descent, Gerlach-Rusnak participated in the First World War as an officer in the Austrian-Hungarian army. In 1917, he was captured by Russian forces, where he made a strong impression by singing Ukrainian songs during camp evenings. After his release, he began his musical education in 1918 under Eugene Fuchs in Prague.

He made his stage debut in 1923 at the Municipal Theater of Olmütz (Olomouc) as Rodolfo in La Bohème. He sang at the Municipal Theater in Königsberg from 1924 to 1926, and at the Municipal Theater of Szczecin from 1926 to 1927. After further studies with Jacques Stückgold in Berlin and Lari in Milan, he became a soloist at the Municipal Theater of Chemnitz from 1928 to 1930. In the 1930-1931 season, he was engaged by the Municipal Theater of Graz.

Starting in 1931, he was a principal tenor at the Munich State Opera, performing under the name Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnak. He chose this stage name by combining his favorite role, Rudolf from La Bohème, with the surname of his wife, Elisabeth Gerlach. He remained with the Munich Opera until 1937, where he also appeared in the premiere of Vittorio Giannini’s opera Lucedia in 1934.

In 1938, he made a guest appearance at the Vienna State Opera. During the 1941-1942 season, he was engaged by the Municipal Theater in Bremen, and from 1942 to 1944, he was a soloist at the Municipal Theater in Innsbruck. He rejoined the Munich Opera in 1945 but suffered a cardiac infarction in 1946, which affected his health. Despite this, he undertook a tour of Canada and the USA during the 1956-1957 season.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1923 Olmütz Municipal Theater

1924-1926 Königsberg Municipal Theater

1926-1927 Szczecin Municipal Theater

1928-1930 Chemnitz Municipal Theater

1930-1931 Graz Municipal Theater

1931-1945 Munich State Opera

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Trovatore (Verdi): Dass nur für mich dein Herz erbebt EG2636 (60-2068) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-06
2. Trovatore (Verdi): Lodern zum Himmel (w. chorus) EG2636 (60-2069) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-06
3. Tosca (Puccini): Und es blitzen die Sterne EG2637 (60-2070) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-06
4. Tosca (Puccini): Wie sich die Bilder gleichen EG2637 (60-2071) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-06
5. Postillon de Longjumeau (Adam): Freunde, vernehmet die Geschichte EH811 (62-1017) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-31
6. Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Ha, welch ein reizendes Bild (Plus blanche) EG2698 (60-2154) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-31
7. Martha (Flotow): Ach so fromm EH811 (62-1017) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-31
8. Africaine (Meyerbeer): Wunderbares Land EG2698 (60-2155) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-31
9. Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Du meiner Väter Hütte (Asile héréditaire) EG2886 (60-2412) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-09-28
10. Fra Diavolo (Auber): Dorina, jene Kleine so jung und schön EG2887 (60-2414) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-09-28
11. Alessandro Stradella (Flotow): Horch’, Liebchen, horch’ (Ständchen) EG2886 (60-2413) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-09-28
12. Alessandro Stradella (Flotow): Tief in den Abruzzen EG2887 (60-2415) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-09-28
13. Zauberflöte (Mozart): Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön EG2910 (60-2448) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-19
14. Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet): Ich höre wie im Traume EG2910 (60-2449) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-19
15. Favorite (Donizetti): Engel so rein EG2911 HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-20
16. Aida (Verdi): Einne Heerschaft tapferer Männer… Holde Aida EH849 (62-1065) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-20
17. Bohème (Puccini): Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen EH849 (62-1064) HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-20