Kraus, Ernst

views updated

Kraus, Ernst

Kraus, Ernst, outstanding German tenor, father of (Wolfgang Ernst) Richard Kraus; b. Erlangen, June 8, 1863; d. Wörthsee, Sept. 6, 1941. He studied in Munich with Schimon-Regan and then in Milan with Cesare Galliera. He made his concert debut at a Kaim Concert in Munich (Jan. 18, 1893), and then his operatic debut in Mannheim on March 26, 1893, as Tamino; remained on its roster until 1896, and thereafter was a leading member of the Berlin Royal (later State) Opera until 1924. He also was a leading singer with the Damrosch Opera Co. in N.Y. (1896–99) and at the Bayreuth Festivals (1899-1909); appeared at London’s Covent Garden (1900, 1907, 1910). He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in N.Y. on Nov. 25, 1903, as Siegmund in Die Walküre, remaining on its roster for a season. After retiring from the Berlin State Opera in 1924, he returned to Munich as a singing teacher. He was one of the foremost Wagnerians of his day, excelling in such roles as Siegfried, Siegmund, and Walther von Stolzing.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire