Leo Slezak
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Leo Slezak (August 18, 1873 – June 1, 1946) was a popular tenor opera singer and actor/comedian.
Born in Šumperk (Mährisch-Schönberg, he worked as a gardener, an engineer's fitter and served in the army before taking singing lessons. He made his debut in 1896 in Brno (Brünn), afterwards he became a very popular singer in a very short time at the Vienna Opera. He also sang big parts in Bohemia and Germany. From 1901 onward, he was a permanent member of the Vienna Opera ensemble and started a huge world career. In 1909 he locked a three-year contract at Metropolitan Opera in New York City. There he had great success as a singer of Wagner and Verdi. He was the most famous Otello of his time, and performed the role at the Metropolitan Opera with Arturo Toscanini conducting.
Many anecdotes reveal his sense of humour. The best-known example: During a performance of Lohengrin a technician sent the swan out too early, before the tenor could hop aboard. Seeing his feathered transportation disappear behind the scenes, Slezak ad-libbed to the audience: "Wann geht der nächste Schwan?" ("When does the next swan leave?")
His autobiography, published in English as 'Song of Motley: Being the reminiscenses of a Hungry tenor' in 1938 contains pen-portraits of many of the musicians and artists of his time with whom he worked, including Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, and Cosima Wagner. It also describes his tours of America, Russia and the Balkans and recalls his ill-fated attempt to audition for Frau Wagner at Bayreuth by singing I Pagliacci.
In 1932 Slezak began to play parts in German cinema. There he played humorous roles and mostly he sang. Some of these movies are La Paloma (1934), Gasparone (1937) and A Rushing Ball Night (1939). His son, Walter Slezak, who began in musical theater, became a highly respected character actor in Hollywood.
He died in Rottach-Egern.
