Melchior, Lauritz

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Melchior, Lauritz [ Hommel, Lebrecht] (b Copenhagen, 1890; d Santa Monica, Calif., 1973). Danish-born tenor (Amer. cit. 1947). Début Copenhagen as bar. 1913 (Silvio in Pagliacci). Début as ten. 1918 (title-role in Tannhäuser), at suggestion of Mme. Charles Cahier. Financed by novelist Hugh Walpole. London début CG 1924. Studied Wagner roles at Bayreuth, singing there 1924–31. Amer. début NY Met 1926. One of most famous Wagnerian Heldentenors, singing Tristan over 200 times.

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Lauritz Melchior

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