Forgotten Opera Singers

Forgotten Opera Singers

Feb 28, 2025

GERMAN BASS-BARITONE WALTER SOOMER (1878-1955) CDR

 



WALTER SOOMER (LIEGNITZ, POLAND, 12 MARCH, 1878 – LEIPZIG, GERMANY, 6 AUGUST, 1955)


 



The artist initially studied philosophy before turning to music, receiving vocal training under Hermann Stoeckert and Anna Uhlig in Berlin. He made his operatic debut in 1902 at the Stadttheater in Colmar. After World War I, he shifted to performing bass roles, gaining recognition as a skilled interpreter of Richard Wagner’s operas.

In 1927, he became the manager of the Gesang- und Opernschule in Leipzig, contributing to vocal and operatic education. Following World War II, he expanded his career to include directing, further solidifying his influence in the opera world.


Chronology of some appearances


1903-06 Halle Stadttheater

1906 Bayreuth Festival

1906 Vienna Volksoper

1906-1910 Leipzig Opernhaus

1907 Berlin Hofoper

1907 Prague German Theater

1908 Vienna Volksoper

1908-1911 New York Metropolitan Opera

1908-1914 Bayreuth festival

1909 Zurich Opernhaus

1909 Prague German Theater

1910-1916 Vienna Hofoper

1911-1914 Dresden Hofoper

1912 Frankfurt a. M. Opernhaus

1912 Zurich Opernhaus

1914 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie

1914-1927 Leipzig Opernhaus

1916 Stuttgart Hoftheater

1917 Zurich Opernhaus

1924-1925 Bayreuth Festival



TRACKLIST



G&T, Berlin 1907-06/07

Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Ha, wohin?… O, Mathilde (w. Urlus) 2-44231 3127r

Carmen (Bizet): Eine Linie tiefer (w. Urlus) 2-44232 3128r

Tannhäuser (Wagner): Lied an den Abendstern 042147 209s

Tannhäuser (Wagner): Wohl wusst’ ich hier sie im Gebet 042146 208s


Edison 4-min cylinders, New York 1909-10?

Tannhäuser (Wagner): Blick’ ich umher BA 28152


Gramophone, Berlin 1913-08-20

Walküre (Wagner): Nicht straf’ ich dich erst 042415 1130s

Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner): Ein Kind war hier geboren 042426 1131s

Fliegende Holländer (wagner): Wie aus der Ferne 042425 1135s

Walküre (Wagner): Loge, hör’ 042416 1132s

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