Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Paul Althouse was an American tenor who was born on December 2, 1889, in Reading, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a Lutheran minister and grew up in a musical family. Althouse began his musical training at an early age, studying piano and voice with his mother. He later studied at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music. Althouse made his professional debut in 1912 with the Philadelphia Opera Company, singing the role of the Duke in Rigoletto. He quickly gained a reputation as a leading tenor, and in 1915 he joined the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Althouse remained with the Met for 20 years, singing in over 500 performances. One of Althouse's most notable performances was in the world premiere of George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess in 1935. Althouse sang the role of Sportin' Life, and his performance of the song "It Ain't Necessarily So" became one of his signature pieces. Althouse also sang the role of Pinkerton in the Met's premiere of Puccini's Madama Butterfly in 1923, and he was a frequent performer in Wagnerian operas, including the role of Siegmund in Die Walküre. In addition to his work with the Met, Althouse was a frequent performer with other opera companies and orchestras. He sang with the Chicago Opera Company, the San Francisco Opera, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, among others. Althouse also performed in Europe, singing with the Royal Opera in London and the Paris Opera. Althouse was known for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He was particularly admired for his performances of Italian and French opera, and he was praised for his interpretation of the role of Don José in Bizet's Carmen. Throughout his career, Althouse received numerous awards and honors. In 1920, he was awarded the Légion d'honneur by the French government for his contributions to French music. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the National Institute of Arts and Letters in 1935. In 1940, Althouse was awarded the Handel Medallion by the City of New York for his contributions to music. Althouse retired from the Met in 1935, but he continued to perform in concerts and recitals for several years. He also taught voice at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School. Althouse died on February 6, 1954, in New York City. In conclusion, Paul Althouse was a highly respected American tenor who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was known for his powerful voice, his emotional performances, and his ability to interpret a wide range of operatic roles. Althouse's performances with the Metropolitan Opera and other companies helped to establish him as one of the leading tenors of his time, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians today.

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