| William Paull | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Paull |
| Born | c.1872 Cornwall, UK |
| Died | February 5, 1903 (aged c. 30) St Louis, USA |
| Genres | Opera, oratorio |
| Occupations | Baritone singer |
| Years active | Late 1890's - 1903 |
| Labels | Gramophone & Typewriter Company |
William Paull (c.1872-1903) was a British baritone at the turn of the 20th century. He was born in Cornwall, UK in c.1872[1]. He had a wide variety of repertoire ranging from Grand Opera and Oratorio to the popular ballads of his day and was becoming well regarded a a soloist, when in 1903 at about the age of 30, his life was tragically cut short by an accident whilst on tour in the USA[2].
His earliest known professional connection was with the Carl Rosa Opera company in England[3]. From 1898 to 1899 he toured Australia with a concert company headed by Dame Emma Albani - his first appearance there being on March 16th 1898[3].
Secured by the Australian actor and theatre manager Mr J.C. Williamson as principal baritone of his Royal Comic Opera Company (formed in 1880), Paull made his first appearance as King Henri in "Ma Mie Rosette". He played a number of different parts with this company[3]. Also on this tour he met his wife-to-be: Ethel Gordon in Sydney. In Adelaide he then severed his connection with Mr Williamson's company.
His first USA appearance was in c.1900 as Wolfram in Wagner's Tannhäuser (opera) with the Metropolitan English Opera Company which was managed by H. W. Savage and Maurice Grau. This company had been set up to perform operas in the English language, however after its failure he returned to England where he continued to work for H.W Savage[2].
In 1901 he joined the Castle Square Opera Company as leading baritone and toured the USA again. Ethel Gordon travelled 15,000 miles to marry him there[2].
In 1902 he performed in two concerts conducted by Henry Wood at the Queen's Hall in London; - Wagner's Tannhäuser (opera): 'Blick' ich umher' (When I cast my eye around) Wolfram's Tournament Song Act 2 Scene 4 (January 13th) and Gounod's Faust: Cavatina 'Avant de quitter ces lieux' (Even bravest heart may swell) Act 2 (January 31st)[1].
He returned to the USA in 1903 and gave a number of concerts with the Castle Square Opera Company at the Century Theatre in St Louis. It was here on February 5th while staying at the Southern Hotel that he fell from his sixth floor window and although his fall was broken by telegraph wires opposite the second floor, never regained consiousness after hitting the ground. It was presumed that he had lost his balance while leaning from the window and so this was considered to have been an accident[2].
In 1901 and 1902 he recorded approximately 70 single-sided records for the Gramophone & Typewriter Company (the forerunner of HMV) at their studio in Hayes, Middlesex, England[4]. Here is a selection which shows the variety of his recorded repertoire:-