Arthur Middleton (Baritone) (Logan, Iowa 1880 - Chicago 1929)

At the age of 16 he started to sing and studied under Alexander Emslie and Charles R. Adams in Boston. Then a successful career followed as an oratorio and concert singer. During a concert his voice was discovered by soprano Frances Alda, who provided an engagement for him at the New York Metropolitan Opera. There he debuted in 1914 in ''Lohengrin''. Till 1917 he remained a member of the Metropolitan Opera. He sang there the role of king in ''Euryanthe'' by Weber, the thunder in "Rheingold" and the minister in ''Fidelio''. In the 1917-1818 season he was engaged by the Chicago Opera, where he appeared on 26. 12. 1917 in the premiere of the opera ''Azora'' by Henry Hadley. Then he retired from the stage and became one of the most popular American oratorio singers; he should have appeared only 200 times in ''Messiah'' and 150 times in ''Elias'' of Mendelssohn. He worked later in Chicago as song pedagogue.

Chronology of some appearances

1914-1917 New York Metropolitan Opera

1917-1918 Chicago Opera

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Edison, New York 1916-12-20

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Chi mi frena with Rappold, Matzenauer, Zenatello, Chalmers and Baroni 82266 5224-C

Edison, New York 1917-06-18

Rigoletto (Verdi): Quartet with Ciccolini, Verlet and Alcock 84001 5629-D

Edison, New York 1917-09-14

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti): Chi mi frena with Verlet, Ciccolini, Scott, Alcock and Baroni 82266 5787-C