Photo Record
Images
Additional Images [6]
Metadata
Object Identification Number |
2012.003.038 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Donor |
Melchior, Ib |
Description |
A horizontally oriented, black and white photograph of Lauritz Melchior with his wife, Kleinchen, a Zulu chief, and others during a trip to Africa in 1949. The photograph displays a core group that includes a family friend, a Zulu chief, Melchior, and Kleinchen posing for a photo. A few other villagers either sit or stand while watching the group. The family friend is seen at left of the group wearing a long dress that has a plaid detail in the front. She is smiling and also wears a hat and dark gloves. Next to her, the Zulu chief stands wearing thick, metal earrings and a loin cloth. Third in the group is Kleinchen, and she is smiling. She wears a dark dress, gloves, metallic shoes, and a brooch. She holds a horizontally stripped purse on her arm. The last in the group is Melchior who is also smiling. He wears a grey toned long-sleeved shirt with matching pants. The background of the photo is a hut roof and greenery. A phrase written in pencil on the back reads, "Mr & Mrs Lauritz Melchior / Get acquainted with a Zulu Chief." |
Print Size |
11.75X15 inches |
Creation Date |
1949 |
Place of Creation |
Africa |
Associated People |
Melchior, Lauritz Melchior, Ib Melchior, Kleinchen |
Search Terms |
Melchior, Lauritz Melchior, Ib opera Africa Melchior, Kleinchen |
Subjects |
Melchior, Lauritz/Melchior, Ib/opera/Africa/Melchior, Kleinchen |
Date Received by Museum |
01/20/2012 |
Provenance |
A photograph of Lauritz Melchior with his wife, Kleinchen, a Zulu chief, and others during a trip to Africa in 1949. ------------------------------------------ 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\2012003038.JPG |
Accession number |
2012.003 |