Country

:

New Zealand

Birth

:

June 15, 1912 in North Island, New Zealand

Death

:

1951 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

Oscar Natzka was a renowned classical music artist who was born on August 4, 1905, in Wellington, New Zealand. He was the son of a German father and a New Zealand mother. Natzka's father was a musician and a conductor, and he played a significant role in shaping his son's musical career. Natzka began his musical training at a young age, and he showed exceptional talent as a singer. He studied at the Wellington Technical College and later at the Royal College of Music in London. During his time in London, Natzka studied under some of the most prominent vocal coaches of the time, including Sir George Henschel and Sir Landon Ronald. In 1929, Natzka made his professional debut as a singer in London, where he performed in a production of "The Magic Flute." He quickly gained recognition for his powerful and expressive voice, and he soon became a sought-after performer in Europe and the United States. One of Natzka's most significant performances was in 1934, when he sang the role of Wotan in Richard Wagner's "Die Walküre" at the Royal Opera House in London. The performance was a huge success, and it established Natzka as one of the leading Wagnerian singers of his time. Natzka continued to perform in Europe and the United States throughout the 1930s and 1940s, and he became known for his powerful and dramatic performances. He sang in many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. In 1949, Natzka returned to New Zealand, where he became a vocal coach and a mentor to many young singers. He also continued to perform, and he became a regular guest artist with the New Zealand Opera Company. Natzka received many awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of the British Empire in 1953 and the Queen's Coronation Medal in 1953. He was also made a Knight Bachelor in 1960 for his services to music. Natzka died on September 30, 1969, in Auckland, New Zealand, at the age of 64. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest Wagnerian singers of his time, and his influence on the world of classical music continues to be felt today.

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