Singing Nelson Eddy

eddy developed talent boy soprano in church choirs. throughout teens, eddy studied voice , imitated recordings of baritones such titta ruffo, antonio scotti, pasquale amato, giuseppe campanari, , reinald werrenrath. gave recitals women s groups , appeared in society theatricals, little or no pay.

having had job in iron works factory, spent ten years newspaper reporter, fired paying more attention music journalism. first professional break came in 1922, when singled out press after appearance in society theatrical, marriage tax, although name had been omitted program.

in 1924, eddy won top prize in competition included chance appear philadelphia opera society. late 1920s, eddy appearing philadelphia civic opera company , had repertoire of 28 operas, including amonasro in aida, marcello in la bohème, papageno in magic flute, almaviva in marriage of figaro, both tonio , silvio in pagliacci, , wolfram in tannhäuser.

eddy performed in gilbert , sullivan operas savoy company, oldest amateur theater company in world devoted exclusively works of gilbert , sullivan in traditional manner. savoy, eddy sang leading role of strephon in iolanthe @ broad street theatre in philadelphia in 1922. next year, played role of major-general stanley in savoy s production of pirates of penzance. reprised role of strephon savoy in 1927, when theater group moved performances famed academy of music. thirty-one years later, asked savoy lead playing role of strephon in 1958 thoughts , recommendations on how play role. eddy wrote:

i envy you. d play strephon again, too! 1 thing suggest keep him gay, happy, , care-free. can set character first entrance. dance in sort of cute abandon. in morrow, mother act joyfully in love. rest fall right line. first time did it – @ old broad street theatre – better when did @ academy. let myself impressed importance of latter house , growing experience in opera – , played grand. don t fall trap. luck , best wishes – , company. sincerely, nelson eddy.

eddy studied briefly noted teacher david scull bispham, former metropolitan opera singer, when bispham died suddenly, eddy became student of william vilonat. in 1927, eddy borrowed money , followed teacher dresden european study, considered essential serious american singers. offered job small german opera company. instead, decided return america, concentrated on concert career, making occasional opera appearances during next 7 years. in 1928, first concert accompanist young pianist named theodore (ted) paxson, became close friend , remained accompanist until eddy s death 39 years later. in 1930s, eddy s principal teacher edouard lippé, followed him hollywood , appeared in small role in eddy s 1935 film naughty marietta. in later years, eddy changed teachers, trying new vocal techniques. had home recording studio, studied own performances. fascination technology inspired him record three-part harmonies (tenor, baritone, & bass) role multiple-voiced singing whale in animated walt disney feature, whale wanted sing @ met , concluding sequence in 1946 feature film make mine music.

with philadelphia civic opera, eddy sang in american performance of feuersnot richard strauss (december 1, 1927) , in first american performance of strauss s ariadne auf naxos (november 1, 1928) helen jepson. in ariadne, eddy sang roles of wigmaker , harlequin in original german. performed under leopold stokowski drum major in second american performance of alban berg s wozzeck on november 24, 1931.

at carnegie hall in new york city, christmas 1931, sang in world premiere of maria egiziaca (mary in egypt), unexpectedly conducted composer ottorino respighi himself when famed conductor arturo toscanini fell ill @ last minute. years later, when toscanini visited mgm lot in california, eddy greeted him singing few bars of maria egiziaca.

eddy continued in occasional opera roles until film work made difficult schedule appearances requisite year or 2 in advance. among final opera performances 3 san francisco opera in 1934, when still unknown . marjory m. fisher of san francisco news wrote of december 8, 1934, performance of wolfram in tannhäuser, nelson eddy made tremendously fine impression ... left no doubt in minds of discerning auditors belongs in fine group of baritones includes lawrence tibbett, richard bonelli, , john charles thomas , represents america s outstanding contribution contemporary opera stage. sang amonasro in aida on november 11, 1934 similar acclaim. elisabeth rethberg, giovanni martinelli, , ezio pinza in cast. however, opera quietly faded eddy s schedule films , highly lucrative concerts claimed more , more of time.

when resumed concert career following screen success, made point of delivering traditional concert repertoire, performing hit screen songs encores. felt audiences needed exposed kinds of music.