Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Identification Number |
2012.003.022 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Donor |
Melchior, Ib |
Description |
A vertically oriented, black and white photo of Lauritz Melchior as Tristan in "Tristan and Isolde." Melchior stands with his proper right hand raised near his mouth holding a cup and his proper left hand clasping the end of the sword that is on his side. He wears chainmail on his arms and legs with a dark tunic over the top. A leather belt and sword sheath decorated in metal brads are around his waist. A chain goes across his chest leading to round metal fasteners on his dark cape. He wears a metal winged helmet. "21579-0" is in white in the lower right corner of the photo. Handwriting in black ink in the back top left corner reads "Melchior as Tristan". "70" is pencilled along the lower left side with "Melchior / as / Tristan" in the bottom corner. Stamped near the center in purpled ink is: "Credit Line / WIDE WORLD STUDIO / 229 WEST 43rd STREET / NEW YORK CITY / Will be Appreciated / MUST NOT BE USED FOR ADVERTISING / PURPOSES EXCEPT ON WRITTEN CONSENT". Stamped in black near the lower right is "METROPOLITAN OPERA / ARCHIVES". |
Print Size |
7.25 x 9.5 |
Creation Date |
ca. 1930s |
Studio |
Wide World Studio |
Place of Creation |
United States/New York/New York City/Metropolitan Opera |
Associated People |
Melchior, Lauritz |
Search Terms |
Melchior, Lauritz musical performance opera singer singing New York City, New York Tristan Tristan and Isolde costume Metropolitan Opera Wide World Studio Metropolitan Opera Archives |
Date Received by Museum |
01/20/2012 |
Provenance |
Lauritz Melchior as Tristan in "Tristan and Isolde" that performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, New York. ----------------------------- 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\2012003022.JPG |
Accession number |
2012.003 |