Opera Singer. Leo Slezak was an international known Moravia tenor, performing in Wagnerian operatic roles, and a comedic film star. Born into a poor family in what is now in the 21st century the Czech Republic, he had various labor-intensive jobs before seeking a musical career. He was a tall man with a great sense of humor. Slezak had a versatile repertory which embraced 66 roles. He sang 44 roles in Vienna alone, where he chalked-up 936 appearances between 1901 to 1912 and 1917 to 1927. He made his debut in "Lohengrin" in 1896. In 1901 he was a permanent member of Vienna State Opera, achieving stardom. He studied in Paris with the great 19th century tenor, Jean de Reszke. By 1909 he had established his reputation at London's Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and the New York Metropolitan Opera, performing in Verdi's "Othello" as well as Wagnerian operatic roles. He made numerous opera recordings. In later years after his voice became unsteady, he abandoned opera in 1932 to become a film comedian in Austria. His two children are Margarete and Walter Slezak, who both followed in their father's acting career. His granddaughter, Erika Slezak had a role in the American ABC television soap-opera "One Life to Live" from 1971 until the final episode in 2012. He died shortly after his beloved wife's death. Slezak's autobiography was published in 1938 in English as "Song of Motley: Being the Reminiscences of a Hungry Tenor." He also published four humorous autobiographical books.
Opera Singer. Leo Slezak was an international known Moravia tenor, performing in Wagnerian operatic roles, and a comedic film star. Born into a poor family in what is now in the 21st century the Czech Republic, he had various labor-intensive jobs before seeking a musical career. He was a tall man with a great sense of humor. Slezak had a versatile repertory which embraced 66 roles. He sang 44 roles in Vienna alone, where he chalked-up 936 appearances between 1901 to 1912 and 1917 to 1927. He made his debut in "Lohengrin" in 1896. In 1901 he was a permanent member of Vienna State Opera, achieving stardom. He studied in Paris with the great 19th century tenor, Jean de Reszke. By 1909 he had established his reputation at London's Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and the New York Metropolitan Opera, performing in Verdi's "Othello" as well as Wagnerian operatic roles. He made numerous opera recordings. In later years after his voice became unsteady, he abandoned opera in 1932 to become a film comedian in Austria. His two children are Margarete and Walter Slezak, who both followed in their father's acting career. His granddaughter, Erika Slezak had a role in the American ABC television soap-opera "One Life to Live" from 1971 until the final episode in 2012. He died shortly after his beloved wife's death. Slezak's autobiography was published in 1938 in English as "Song of Motley: Being the Reminiscences of a Hungry Tenor." He also published four humorous autobiographical books.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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