Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Identification Number |
2012.003.015 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Donor |
Melchior, Ib |
Description |
A horizontally oriented, black and white photograph of Lauritz Melchior and Juliana Larsen, a famous nightclub singer. Juliana sits in a new Messerschmidt car with her hand holding Melchior's as he prepares to enter the tiny automobile. She is smiling and looking to the viewer's right. She wears a dark hat and fur coat with a scarf tied around her neck. She also wears earrings and a ring. Melchior is standing on the viewer's right of the photo. He looks directly at the camera with an unsure look on his face. He wears a long dark trenchcoat that is lined with fur on the inside and around the collar. He wears dark trousers and shoes as well. The tiny automobile has a roof that flips open, allowing passengers to enter. Two headlights and two wheels are visible in the photograph as well as a metallic logo reading "Messerschmidt." A green stamp on the back reads: "photo by / Manny Greenhaus / 36 WEST 56th STREET / NEW YORK 19, N. Y. / Plaza 7-3978." A handwritten description written in pencil reads: "Lauritz Melchior looks undecided about his fungoing / ride in Juliana Larsen's new Messerschmidt auto, / which is actually smaller in size than the great tenor." Some typing along the side is cut off. |
Print Size |
7X9 inches |
Creation Date |
ca. early 1950s |
Studio |
Manny Greenhaus |
Place of Creation |
United States/New York/New York City |
Associated People |
Melchior, Lauritz Larsen, Juliana Larson, Juliana Greenhaus, Manny |
Search Terms |
Melchior, Lauritz music opera singer Larsen, Juliana Larson, Juliana nightclub singer fur coat Messerschmidt car automobile vehicle Greenhaus, Manny Manny Greenhaus New York City |
Date Received by Museum |
01/20/2012 |
Provenance |
This is a photograph of Lauritz Melchior and Juliana Larsen, a famous nightclub singer in the 1950s. A handwritten description written in pencil is seen along the bottom portion of the back reading: "Lauritz Melchior looks undecided about his fungoing / ride in Juliana Larsen's new Messerschmidt auto, / which is actually smaller in size than the great tenor." ------------------------- The Melchior Collection was donated to Dana College by Ib Melchior, the son of Lauritz Melchior. Upon the closing of Dana College in 2009, the museum director, John Mark Nielsen, began negotiations to have the collection donated to the museum. After successful negotiations, the Melchior Collection became part of the collections housed at the Museum of Danish America. All of the artifacts in this gift belonged, at one time, to Lauritz Melchior. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark on March 20, 1890, Lauritz Lebrecht Hommel Melchior was the 6th child born to Jørgen Conradt Melchior and his wife, Julie Sofie Møller. He was named for his godfather, professor Lauritz Lebrecht Hommel, a professional associate of his father. He became a renowned tenor singer in both Danish and American opera. He began his career In 1913, Melchior made his debut in the baritone role of Silvio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" at the Royal Theatre (Det Kongelige Teater) in Copenhagen. He sang secondary roles for the following few years until he reevaluated his voice and discovered he was a tenor rather than the baritone he always sang. Melchior's second debut, in October of 1918, was in the title role of Tannhäuser at the Royal Opera in Copenhagen. Following this performance, Melchior's career grew. He held lead roles on the stages of Copenhagen, Chicago, San Francisco, Berlin, Munich, and Covent Garden in London. Melchior had two children with his first wife Inger (Nathansen) Melchior (1889-1929), a son named Ib and a daughter named Birte. Melchior and his first wife divorced, and he married his second wife, Kleinchen. Kleinchen passed away in 1963 after being married to Melchior for 37 years. Melchior also acted on the silver screen in such films as Thrill of a Romance (1945), Two Sisters from Boston (1946), This Time for Keeps (1947), Luxury Liner (1948), and The Stars Are Singing (1953). Melchior became an American citizen in 1947, and he lived in California on his estate known as "The Viking." The museum has an aerial photo of the home. Melchior died in Santa Monica, California in 1973. His body was laid to rest at the Assistens Kirkegaard cemetery in Copenhagen. |
Images |
190\2012003015.JPG |
Accession number |
2012.003 |