Lauritz Melchior Biography

Fast Facts

• Set up a fund for aspiring heldentenors at the Juilliard School called The Lauritz Melchior Heldentenor Foundation in the late 1960s
• Studied opera at the Royal Opera Scholl in Copenhagen in 1908
• Made his debut in the baritone solo of Silvio in a 1913 production of "Pagliacci" at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen
• Made his second debut, now as a tenor, in the title role of "Tannhauser" at the Royal Opera in Copenhagen in 1918
• Switched to tenor after his co-star in "Il trovatore," the contralto Mme Charles Cahier, heard his performance and told him he wasn't a baritone, but a tenor "with the lid on․"
• Best known as the pre-eminent heldentenor of the 20th century who excelled at Wagnerian opera
• Was still performing towards the end of his life and would often sing the national anthem at Los Angeles Dodgers' home games
• Sang in more than 1,000 operatic performances during the quarter of a century that he was most active in the industry