Slezak, Leo#
b. Šumperk, Czech Republic (then Maehrisch-Schoenberg), Aug. 18, 1873, d. Rottach-Egern (Germany), June 1, 1946, world-famous tenor, originally gardener and metalworker. Brilliant career after his debut in Bruenn (Brno) (1896): 1901-1926 at the Vienna Hofoper and Staatsoper (1926 honorary member), 1905 Kammersaenger*, 1909-1912 outstanding success at the New York Metropolitan Opera. Excelled in Wagner parts and as a highly expressive singer of lieder. After approx. 1932, career as film actor (comic parts, frequently with H. Moser). His children, Walter and Margarethe S., also chose singing as a career.
Works#
Meine gesammelten Werke, 1922 (Meine saemtl. Werke, 1937); Der Wortbruch, 1927; Der Rueckfall, 1940; Mein Lebensmaerchen, 1948.Literature#
S. Klinenberger, L. S., 1910; W. Slezak, Wann geht der naechste Schwan?, 1964