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Lauritz Melchior

Lauritz Melchior (20 March 1890 – 18 March 1973) was a Danish-American opera singer. He was the preeminent Wagnerian tenor of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s and has come to be considered the quintessence of his voice type. Late in his career, Melchior appeared in movie musicals and on radio and television. He also made numerous recordings.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 20, 1890 (Copenhagen), Died March 18, 1973 (Santa Monica)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1926 - 1954

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor vocal

Notes: Address in 1937, from Victor ledgers (BS-3987): Ansonia Hotel; Apt. 1077; 73rd and Broadway; New York City.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-03987 10-in. 1/18/1937 Personal record for Mr. Melchior Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-07871 10-in. 4/27/1937 Heimliche Aufforderung Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-07872 10-in. 4/27/1937 Traum durch die Dämmerung Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-07873 10-in. 4/27/1937 Lenz (Spring) Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-07874 10-in. 4/27/1937 Tonerna (Tones) Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-07875 10-in. 4/27/1937 Into the light Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-07876 10-in. 4/27/1937 Do not go, my love Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-07877 10-in. 4/27/1937 Zueignung (Devotion) Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-07878 10-in. 4/27/1937 En svane (A swan) Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-022322 10-in. 4/17/1938 Nothung! Nothung! Lauritz Melchior ; Eugene Ormandy ; Philadelphia Orchestra Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CS-022323 12-in. 4/17/1938 Lohengrin's Abschied Lauritz Melchior ; Eugene Ormandy ; Philadelphia Orchestra Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-022324 10-in. 4/17/1938 Winterstürme Lauritz Melchior ; Eugene Ormandy ; Philadelphia Orchestra Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CS-022325 12-in. 4/17/1938 Amfortas! Die Wunde! Lauritz Melchior ; Eugene Ormandy ; Philadelphia Orchestra Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CS-022326 12-in. 4/17/1938 Amfortas! Die Wunde! Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CS-022327 12-in. 4/17/1938 Schlussgesang (Nur eine Waffe taugt) Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-022421 10-in. 4/11/1938 Schon streckt' ich aus im Bett Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-022422 10-in. 4/11/1938 Mailied Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-022423 10-in. 4/11/1938 A dream Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-022424 10-in. 4/11/1938 Mir träumte von einem Königskind Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-022425 10-in. 4/11/1938 Drick! Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-022426 10-in. 4/11/1938 Auf dem Kirchhofe Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-031860 10-in. 1/30/1939 Er und sie Lotte Lehmann ; Lauritz Melchior Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-031861 10-in. 1/30/1939 So wahr die Sonne scheinet (True as the sun shines) Lotte Lehmann ; Lauritz Melchior Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-031862 10-in. 1/30/1939 Familien Gemalde Lotte Lehmann ; Lauritz Melchior Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-031863 10-in. 1/30/1939 Ich denke dein Lotte Lehmann ; Lauritz Melchior Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-065619 10-in. 5/16/1941 Skoveensomhed Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-065620 10-in. 5/16/1941 Foraarssang (Spring song) Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-065621 10-in. 5/16/1941 Flyg mina tankar (Fly my thoughts) Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-065622 10-in. 5/16/1941 Stille mit hjaerte (Quiet my heart) Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-065623 10-in. 5/16/1941 Svarte rosor Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BS-065624 10-in. 5/16/1941 Eros Lauritz Melchior ; Ignace Strasfogel Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor D4RB-0496 10-in. 12/27/1944 Serenade Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor D4RB-0497 10-in. 12/27/1944 I love you Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor D4RB-0498 10-in. 12/27/1944 Lonely night Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor D4RB-0523 10-in. 12/30/1944 Vive l'amour Lauritz Melchior ; Strasfogel Orchestra Tenor vocal solo, with mixed vocal chorus and orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor D4RB-0524 10-in. 12/30/1944 Please don't say no Lauritz Melchior ; Strasfogel Orchestra Tenor vocal solo, with mixed vocal chorus and orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE22327 12-in. 4/8/1927 Minnelied Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE18772-XE18773 12-in. 4/15/1926 Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE18774-XE18775 12-in. 4/15/1926 Morgenlich leuchtend im rosigen Schein Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E18846-E18849 10-in. 4/21/1926 Do not go, my love Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E18850-E18851 10-in. 4/21/1926 To my bride Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E18925-E18926 10-in. 4/27/1926 Do not go, my love Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with violin and piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E18927-E18928 10-in. 4/27/1926 Do not go, my love Fredric Fradkin ; Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra and violin obbligato vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E18929-E18930 10-in. 4/27/1926 To my bride Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E21449½-E21450 10-in. 2/8/1927 Isobel Lauritz Melchior Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E21451-E21452 10-in. 2/8/1927 Gold o' the world Lauritz Melchior Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E21756-E21757 10-in. 3/7/1927 Come, friend Lauritz Melchior Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E21758-E21759 10-in. 3/7/1927 Isobel Lauritz Melchior Male vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick E21760-E21761 10-in. 3/7/1927 Dolorosa Lauritz Melchior Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE21790-XE21792 12-in. 3/8/1927 Oh, cease thy singing, maiden fair Lauritz Melchior Male vocal solo, with violin obligato, string quartet, and piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE21793-XE21794 12-in. 3/8/1927 Liebeslied Lauritz Melchior Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE22324-XE22326 12-in. 4/8/1927 Am Meer Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE22328-XE22329 12-in. 4/8/1927 Preislied Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE22421-XE22423 12-in. 4/14/1927 Am Meer Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE22424-XE22425 12-in. 4/14/1927 Minnelied Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Brunswick XE22426-XE22427 12-in. 4/14/1927 Litanei Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Gramophone 0CS1521 10-in. 09/15/1939 Hvor Nilen vander Aegypterens jord Herman D. Koppel ; Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with chorus and piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Gramophone 0CS1522 10-in. 09/15/1939 I Würzburg ringe de klokker Herman D. Koppel ; Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Gramophone 0CS1526 10-in. 09/15/1939 Det er et yndigt land Johan Hye-Knudsen ; Lauritz Melchior Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Gramophone 2B533 12-in. 5/21/1931 Siegfried Robert Heger ; London Symphony Orchestra ; Lauritz Melchior ; Heinrich Tessmer Vocal duet (2 tenors), with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Gramophone 2B534 12-in. 5/21/1931 Siegfried Robert Heger ; London Symphony Orchestra ; Lauritz Melchior ; Heinrich Tessmer Vocal duet (2 tenors), with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 76228 4/27/1950 Part 1-Overture: Deep in my heart, dear ; Serenade ; Students' marching song Gloria Lane ; Lauritz Melchior ; Lee Sweetland ; Jane Wilson vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 76229 4/27/1950 Part 2: Golden days Gloria Lane ; Lauritz Melchior ; Lee Sweetland ; Jane Wilson vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 76230 4/27/1950 Part 3: Drinking song Gloria Lane ; Lauritz Melchior ; Lee Sweetland ; Jane Wilson vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 76231 4/28/1950 Part 4: Students' marching song Gloria Lane ; Lauritz Melchior ; Lee Sweetland ; Jane Wilson vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 76232 4/28/1950 Part 5: Deep in my heart, dear Gloria Lane ; Lauritz Melchior ; Lee Sweetland ; Jane Wilson vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 76233 4/29/1950 Part 6: Serenade Gloria Lane ; Lauritz Melchior ; Lee Sweetland ; Jane Wilson vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 76234 4/29/1950 Part 7: Just we two Gloria Lane ; Lauritz Melchior ; Lee Sweetland ; Jane Wilson vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 76235 4/29/1950 Part 8- Finale: Golden days ; Gaudeamus ; Serenade ; Deep in my heart, dear Gloria Lane ; Lauritz Melchior ; Lee Sweetland ; Jane Wilson vocalist, tenor vocal  
Decca 86630 8/4/1954 It's great to be alive-1 Hope Holiday vocalist, tenor vocal  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Melchior, Lauritz," accessed November 24, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/100028.

Melchior, Lauritz. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/100028.

"Melchior, Lauritz." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/100028

External Sources

Wikipedia: Lauritz Melchior

Discogs: Lauritz Melchior

Allmusic: Lauritz Melchior

Grove: Lauritz Melchior

IMDb: Lauritz Melchior

Britannica: Lauritz Melchior

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Melchior, Lauritz - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n81084033

Wikidata: Lauritz Melchior - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q542823

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/12492148

MusicBrainz: Lauritz Melchior - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/73733a53-d987-4b2a-b5cf-60e2612f6735

FAST: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/76602

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