Search - Urlus :: Heroic Tenor: Comp Edison Recordings Jacques Urlus

A revelatory release of recordings by a vocal aristocrat

Vincent Lau | 06/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This must surely be one of the most treasurable releases in the Martson catalogue. Indeed, this is one of the most revelatory and impressive historical vocal releases in recent years. Jacques Urlus, born in 1867 to Dutch parents, belongs to the generation of heroic tenors before Lauritz Melchior. He made his operatic debut in 1894 and his illustrious career ended only in 1933 when he sang Tristan at the age of 66.His vocal longevity is not difficult to explain when one listens to this 2 CD set of his complete Edition recordings made between the years 1913 and 1917, which coincided with his appearances at the Metropolitan Opera. What distinguishes Urlus from his peers of heroic tenors is the absolute beauty and security of his vocal production as well as his impeccable musicianship. He does not make a single ugly sound in any of the 37 tracks here, which already is quite a feat for tenors plying a trade in the reportoire undertaken by Urlus. The voice itself is very beautiful and evenly produced (well captured even by the primitive recording process) and there is a sort of richness and intensity in the tone that renders it very immediate and attractive to the ear. Every note is emitted with care, and yet there is little of that sense of artificiality and over-cautiousness that often afflicts the recordings of many great singers of the same period. His attack on notes is absolutely clean and unfussy and his phrasing is generous, silky-smooth and stylish, with some tender caresses and diminuendos on even the last note of a long arching phrase. Unlike some of the tenors in the verismo school, he never over-emotes by resorting to exaggerated vocal gestures. Instead, his interpretations always remain true to the music and are meticulous (and often imaginative) in their execution, which make his performances vivid but tasteful. He is a true aristocrat of operatic singing!Modern listeners may feel a little strange about the way that he takes some of the high notes, which he sings with a sort of mixed voice. However, through Urlus's superb vocal technique, these notes can merge seamlessly with the chest voice below to an appealing effect. When he appeared as Tristan in Boston with Johanna Gadski in 1912, a reviewer noted that Urlus sang the music of Tristan as it has not been sung since Jean de Reszke. Having heard a couple of short excerpts documenting the singing of the legendary Polish tenor, I cannot help but wonder if it is in Urlus's singing that we come closest to hearing the vocal style of De Reszke, the reigning tenor of the so-called ¡§Golden Age. In the Wagnerian repertoire, while Urlus may not have the overwhelming vocal power of Melchior, the older tenor sings with greater musicianship and a more scrupulous observation of the score. He is also equally successful in the song tracks, where there is ample charm in both tone and style. The tenor is well partnered in the duets by the little-known but firm-voiced soprano Marie Rappold.In Vol. 3 of his¡§Singers of the Century¡¨series, vocal connoisseur John Steane laments over a lack of Urlus's recordings in the catalogues and urges that someone to have a word with¡§Mr. Marston". Well, Steane's and many other vocal collectors¡¦dreams have now been realized and it is evident that Ward Marston has restored these priceless recordings with loving care. There are 2 excellent articles in the CD booklet by Harold Bruder and Marston himself, together with some photos of Urlus both in and out of costumes. The presentation is up to Marston's usual high standards. A most remarkable release indeed."