AMERICAN BARITONE ROBERT LEONHARDT (1877-1923) CDR

 

ROBERT LEONHARDT (LINZ, AUSTRIA, 1877 – NEW YORK CITY, FEBRUARY 2, 1923)

 

 

Robert Leonard began his operatic career in 1898 at the Theater in Linz (Donau). His early engagements included the Theater des Westens in Berlin (1899-1900) and the Theater in Teplitz-Schönau (1900-1903). Returning to the Theater des Westens in the 1904-1905 season, he soon joined the Deutschen Theater in Prague (1905-1909), where he took part in significant premieres, including Eugen d’Albert’s Flauto solo and Anselm Goetzl’s Zierpuppen in 1905.

From 1909 to 1911, Leonard performed at the Opernhaus in Brünn (Brno) and subsequently joined the Volksoper in Vienna (1911-1913). Highlights of his time at the Volksoper included the role of the Minstrel in the Viennese premiere of Humperdinck’s Königskinder (1911) and the world premiere of Wilhelm Kienzl’s Der Kuhreigen on November 23, 1911. He also performed as Beckmesser in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Alberich in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen at Berlin’s Gura-Sommer-Oper (1910). Leonard made a guest appearance at the Vienna Hofoper in 1909.

In 1913, Leonard was engaged by the Metropolitan Opera in New York, debuting as the Father in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel. During his tenure, he participated in notable premieres, including Umberto Giordano’s Madame Sans-Gêne (February 25, 1915) and Reginald de Koven’s The Canterbury Pilgrims (1917). However, during World War I, the political climate compelled him to adopt the anglicized stage name Robert Leonard. Despite this, he was forced to retire from the stage in 1918 due to his Austrian nationality.

Leonard returned to the Metropolitan Opera in 1920, marking a triumphant comeback. On November 19, 1921, he sang Fritz alongside Maria Jeritza in the U.S. premiere of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Die tote Stadt. His final performance at the Met was in Puccini’s Tosca during the 1922-1923 season.

Robert Leonard’s career was marked by his versatility in both German and international repertoire, his contributions to operatic premieres, and his resilience amidst geopolitical challenges.

Chronology of some appearances

1898 Linz Theater

1899-1900 Berlin Theater des Westens

1900-1903 Teplitz-Schönau Theater

1904-1905 Berlin Theater des Westens

1905-1909 Prague Deutschen Theater

1909 Wien Hofoper

1909-1911 Brünn Opernhaus

1910 Berlin Gura-Sommer-Oper

1911-1913 Wien Volksoper

1913-1923 New York Metropolitan Opera

TRACKLIST

Bohème (Puccini) Will ich allein des Abends in Paris mich ergeh’n (w. Runge) 944244 15572b Gramophone, Berlin 1911-08-04

Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach) Leuchte, heller Spiegel, mir 11367 Homokord, Berlin 1909-07-05

Don Giovanni (Mozart) Reich mir die Hand (w. Runge) 1501 Homokord, Berlin 1907-07-26

Don Giovanni (Mozart) Treibt der Champagner 11364 Homokord, Berlin 1909-07-03

Mignon (Thomas) Ihr Schwalben in den Lüften (w. Runge) 944245 15573b Gramophone, Berlin 1911-08-04

Tannhäuser (Wagner) Blick’ ich umher 11369 Homokord, Berlin 1909-07-05

Trovatore (Verdi) Befreit, o welche Seligkeit! (w. Runge) 1507 Homokord, Berlin 1907-07-26

Zauberflöte (Mozart) Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja 3-42167 2660L G&T, Berlin 1905-01?

Zauberflöte (Mozart) Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja 1214 Homokord, Berlin 1906-11-06

Zauberflöte (Mozart) Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Papageno (w. Runge) X-24064 Zonophone, Berlin 1904-08/09

Allerseelen Stell’ auf den Tisch die duftenden Reseden 1220 Homokord, Berlin 1907-07-29

An der Weser (Pressel) 12239 Edison 2-min cylinders, Berlin 1904/1905

Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Ich knüpfte manche zarte Bande 42321 1101B Berliner, Berlin 1901-10

Boccaccio (Suppé) Wie Gott will, ich halt’ still 42041 2807B G&T, Berlin 1902-09/11

Czar und Zimmermann (Lortzing) Sonst spielt ich mit Szepter 1715 Homokord, Berlin 1907-07-29

Das Edelweiss (Peuschel) 15189 Edison 2-min cylinders, Berlin 1904-10

Das Grab auf der Heide (Heiser) 1152 Homokord, Berlin 1907-07-24

Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus (trad) 15254 Edison 2-min cylinders, Berlin 1905 (early)

Wohin ich geh’ und schaue (Mendelssohn) (w. Runge) 44185 1231x G&T, Berlin 1902-09/11

Zwei dunkle Augen (Heins) 12262 Edison 2-min cylinders, Berlin 1904/1905