Oskar Bolz (Tenor) (Magdeburg 1875 - Zoppot 1935)

Oscar Bolz was born in 1875 in Magdeburg. He studied in Berlin and became a licensed dentist, when his voice was discovered. Bolz entered the Sternschen conservatory. He made his debut as Heldentenor in 1900 in Olmütz, went after to Barmen in 1902, before arriving in Aachen. Bühne der Welt wrote: 

A bit late, but with the necessary care, das Rheingold was performed in Aachen. Mr. Bolz, as Loge, did not managed to be the center point of attention. Mr. Bolz gave several guest appearances: In Elberfeld, he was Turiddu and Canio. He showed great vocal qualities while his temperament lead him to over play the parts. In Essen, he was Siegfried during the last part of the season, replacing Mr. Rupert Gogl, and was excellent. 

A major career change was the move to Mainz in 1904. In a performance of Siegfried, Bolz was named first in the review, despite the the domineering dramatic soprano Hedwig Materna. Reviews considered him to be vocally impressive. After guest appearances as Raoul and Siegfried in 1905 in Stuttgart, he was hired to replace the departing Costa. Dr. Fritz Volbach said in the review Musik: 

The new appointed tenor Mr. Bolz, drew attention as Masaniello. His future will depend if he can bring his artistic skills to the level of his vocal skills. In the new production of Verdi's Amelia (I.E. Ballo) he was as Richard quite appropriate for those parts. However in the Ring, as Loge, Siegmund and Siegfried, he was quite impossible. He has no nobility and cannot control his acting. Bolz became known internationally when he replaced Carl Burrian as Herod in 1907 in Paris. He had a triumph in 1908 in Stuttgart as Otello. There, Bolz proved also to be a major Wagnerian s inger. In 1909, Bolz took some time off to go to Milan to further study with Lamperti and Sibella. Upon his return, he proved to be indispensable, and in spite of quarrels, remained as Stuttgart's first tenor until the end of the Kaiser period. The end of the war meant the collapse of Bolz's world. All contracts were canceled. Bolz went in 1918 to Halle, where he impressed. After a detour through Nürnberg, he arrived in 1921 at the Berlin Staatsoper. By that time, he was over the hills. Bolz retired in 1925 and became an impressario. He moved for good to Munich in 1927. He died in 1935 while being in Zoppot attending a rehearsal of Rienzi at the Waldoper.

Chronology of some appearances

1900 Olmütz Opera House

1904 Mainz Opera House

1905 Stuttgart Opera House

1921 Berlin Staatsoper

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Favorite-Luxus-Record

Meistersinger von Nurnberg (Wagner): Am stillen Herd 1-015154

Meistersinger von Nurnberg (Wagner): Preislied 1-015155

Parlophon, Berlin 1912-01-29

Juive (Halévy): Recha, als Gott dich einst zur Tochter mir gegeben P296 2-1142

Trovatore (Verdi): Daß nur für mich dein Herz erbebt P296 2-1144

Parlophon, Berlin 1912-01-30

Trovatore (Verdi): Standchen & Stretta P298 2-1148
Pagliacci (Leoncavallo): Jetzt spielen P298 2-1150