His real name was Orest Rusnak. He was of Ukrainian descent and took part in the First World War as an officer of the Austrian-Hungarian army. In 1917 he fell into Russian war. Here he excited sensation singing Ukrainian songs in camp evenings. After his dismissal he began in 1918 his education under Eugene Fuchs in Prague. He made his debut in 1923 at the Municipal Theater of Olmütz (Olomouc) as Rodolfo in ‘’La Bohème’’. In the 1924-1926 seasons he appeared at the Municipal Theater in Königsberg, from 1926 to 1927 at the Municipal Theater of Szczecin. After additional education with Jacques Stückgold in Berlin and with Lari in Milan he became a soloist of the Municipal Theater of Chemnitz (1928-1930). In the 1930-1931 season he was engaged by the Municipal Theater of Graz. Since 1931 he was a principal tenor of the Munich State Opera and started to appear under the name Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnak. He formed his artistic name Rudolf Gerlach-Rusnak from the name of his favorite hero, the Rudolf in ‘’La Bohème’’ and the family name of his wife Elisabeth Gerlach. Till 1937 he remained a member of the Munich Opera, where he also performed in the premiere of the opera ‘’Lucedia’’ by Vittorio Giannini (1934). In 1938 he made guest appearance at the Vienna State Opera. In the 1941-1942 season he was engaged by the Municipal Theater in Bremen, in the 1942-1944 seasons he was a soloist of the Municipal Theater in Innsbruck. In 1945 he joined again to the Munich Opera. After a cardiac infarction in 1946 he remained ill, however, undertook in the 1956-1957 season again a tour through Canada and the USA.
Chronology of some appearances
1923 Olmütz Municipal Theater
1924-1926 Königsberg Municipal Theater
1926-1927 Szczecin Municipal Theater
1928-1930 Chemnitz Municipal Theater
1930-1931 Graz Municipal Theater
1931-1945 Munich State Opera
RECORDINGS FOR SALE
HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-06
Trovatore (Verdi): Dass nur für mich dein Herz erbebt EG2636 (60-2068)
Trovatore (Verdi): Lodern zum Himmel (w. chorus) EG2636 (60-2069)
Tosca (Puccini): Und es blitzen die Sterne EG2637 (60-2070)
Tosca (Puccini): Wie sich die Bilder gleichen EG2637 (60-2071)
HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1932-10-31
Postillon de Longjumeau (Adam): Freunde, vernehmet die Geschichte EH811 (62-1017)
Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Ha, welch ein reizendes Bild (Plus blanche) EG2698 (60-2154)
Martha (Flotow): Ach so fromm EH811 (62-1017)
Africaine (Meyerbeer): Wunderbares Land EG2698 (60-2155)
HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-09-28
Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Du meiner Väter Hütte (Asile héréditaire) EG2886 (60-2412)
Fra Diavolo (Auber): Dorina, jene Kleine so jung und schön EG2887 (60-2414)
Alessandro Stradella (Flotow): Horch', Liebchen, horch' (Ständchen) EG2886 (60-2413)
Alessandro Stradella (Flotow): Tief in den Abruzzen EG2887 (60-2415)
HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-19
Zauberflöte (Mozart): Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön EG2910 (60-2448)
Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet): Ich höre wie im Traume EG2910 (60-2449)
HMV/Electrola, Berlin 1933-10-20
Favorite (Donizetti): Engel so rein EG2911
Aida (Verdi): Einne Heerschaft tapferer Männer...Holde Aida EH849 (62-1065)
Bohème (Puccini): Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen EH849 (62-1064)
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