Forgotten Opera Singers

Forgotten Opera Singers

Jan 28, 2015

Oscar Ralf (Tenor) (Malmö 1881 - Stockholm 1964)




He was the older brother of famous tenor Torsten Ralf (1901-54) and concert/oratorio singer Einar Ralf (1888-1971). First he studied languages at the university of Lund, however, was to be heard since 1905 as an operetta singer at the Södermalms Theater in Stockholm. In 1904 he was the soloist tenor with the USA tour of the university choir of Lund. From 1907 to 1917 he studied singing under the famous baritone John Forsell and Gillis Bratt in Stockholm. In 1918 his debut took place at the Royal Opera in Stockholm as Siegmund in ''Die Walkure''. Till 1940 he had a successful career at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, where he was famous as an interpreter of the roles in R. Wagner's operas. In Stockholm he appeared in the premières of the operas ''Kronbruden" by  T. Ranmgström (1922 as Mats), ''Nerone'' of A. Boito (1926), ''Bäckahästen'' of  Kurt Atterberg (as Kristoffer) and Nathanael Berg's ''Engelbrekt''. In 1927 he sang at the Bayreuth Festival as Siegmund. The same year he made guest appearance at the Opéra-Comique in Paris as Tristan. In 1925 went on tour in the USA. Later he not only added to his repertoire operettas, but also published translations of about 40 opera and operetta librettos into the Swedish. Since 1908 he was married to the operetta singer Therese Björklund. 

Chronology of some appearances

1905 Stockholm Södermalms Theater
1918-1940 Stockholm Royal Opera
1927 Bayreuth Festival
1927 Paris Opéra-Comique

RECORDINGS FOR SALE








Ekophon, Stockholm 1921-06
Die keusche Suzanne (Gilbert): Trink wenn du allein bist NS 27
Der Bettelstudent (Millöcker): Ich knüpfte manche zarten Bande NS 27

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