Richard Tauber Austrian opera and operetta singer (tenor) Date of Birth: 16.05.1891 Country: Great Britain

1. Richard Tauber: Biography of a Legendary Tenor
2. Early Years and Musical Education
3. Operatic and Operetta Career
4. Personal Life and Later Years
5. Final Years and Legacy

Richard Tauber: Biography of a Legendary Tenor

Richard Tauber was an Austrian opera and operetta singer, renowned for his exceptional tenor voice and often referred to as the "Austrian Caruso". He was born into an artistic family, born out of wedlock, and initially carried his mother's maiden name, Denemy. Over the years, he adopted different names and surnames, including Karl Richard Tauber (his father's surname) and Ernst Seiffert (his mother's surname from her first marriage). However, after his initial success in the theater, he settled on the name Richard Tauber.

Early Years and Musical Education

In 1897, Tauber enrolled in school in Linz. From 1903 onwards, he performed at his father's theater. Recognizing his musical talent, his father sent him to the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt to study piano, composition, and conducting. Tauber took the initiative to also pursue training in operatic vocal art. His debut as a young singer took place in Freiburg on May 17, 1912, where he performed arias from Mozart's operas and received a warm reception from the audience.

Operatic and Operetta Career

In the subsequent years, Tauber performed in various theaters in Austria-Hungary and Germany, expanding his repertoire to include operas by composers such as Mozart, Gounod, Richard Strauss, and later Verdi, Puccini, and others. After the war, in 1922, Tauber joined the Vienna State Opera and also performed at the Berlin Opera House and on concert tours. His popularity was immense, with contemporaries remarking on his enchanting soft vocal timbre, moving interpretations, and exceptional musicality. In addition to opera, he also had a successful career in operettas. Composer Franz Lehár even wrote music specifically for him, composing lyrical arias known as "Tauberlieder" (Tauber songs). His gramophone records sold in the thousands, totaling over 700 recordings of his performances.

Personal Life and Later Years

During this time, Tauber married singer Carlotta Vanconti, but they separated after a few years. He then entered into a five-year common-law marriage with Maria Loseva, a Russian singer who performed in Berlin. In the 1930s, Tauber achieved great success in the United Kingdom and the United States, also appearing in musical films. In 1936, he married English actress Diana Napier. However, his performances in Germany ceased due to the Nazi regime's refusal to invite artists of Jewish origin.

Following the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, Tauber became an emigrant. He lived in Switzerland before obtaining British citizenship in 1940 and settling in London. Despite the closure of opera houses in England at the start of the war and the confiscation of his Austrian savings by the Nazis, Tauber earned a living through concerts and recordings. He also composed his own music, including songs and operettas that gained popularity.

Final Years and Legacy

In 1947, Tauber was diagnosed with lung cancer. During this time, his old friends from the Vienna Opera were touring in London, and Tauber performed in Mozart's "Don Giovanni". The audience gave him a standing ovation. The opera that marked his beginnings also became his farewell appearance. A week later, Tauber was admitted to the hospital, where he passed away. He was laid to rest in the Brompton Cemetery in London.

Richard Tauber's legacy as a remarkable tenor and versatile musician endures through his extensive discography, captivating performances, and enduring popularity among opera and operetta enthusiasts worldwide.