Alvary, Lorenzo, 1909-1996

Lorenzo Alvary (1909 – 1996) was a prolific singer and producer of many operas in the United States. Alvary was born in Hungary and studied law at the University of Budapest, but he quickly abandoned his law career to study music in Milan and Berlin. He first sang for the Vienna Staatsoper, but joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1942, where he remained on the roster for over twenty seasons. His most memorable roles are Baron Ochs in Rosenkavalier, Don Alfonso in Cosi Fan Tutte, and Leporello in Don Giovanni . Alvary was known for his elaborate costumes and for always playing characters that were less than attractive. He also sang for the San Francisco Opera. In 1972, he became the artistic director for the Miami Opera Guild and he received critical praise for his work with the company. Alvary started his own radio show entitled Opera Topics, which he hosted from 1964 – 1986. He went on to produce the surrealistic opera, The Spanish Lady and the Roman Cavalier, with Salvador Dali. As well as a career in the United States, Alvary had great international success. He went on to sing in over sixty operas in South America and Europe. Alvary appeared in many solo recitals with such directors as Bruno Walter and Arturo Toscanini.

From the guide to the Lorenzo Alvary papers, 1919-1992, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)

Lorenzo Alvary, a hungarian born operatic bass, hosted the radio program titled "Opera Topics" between 1963 and 1984. It aired principally on WNYC, New York, and consisted of interviews with contemporary opera singers, historians, and impresarios, as well as reports of operatic performances from around the world. Selected guests include: Claudio Abbado; Licia Albanese; Ezio Flagello; Boris Goldovsky; Herbert Graf; Dimitri Kabalevski; Lauritz Melchior; Gian Carlo Menotti, among many others.

From the guide to the Opera Topics radio program collection [sound recording], Lorenzo Alvary, host, 1963-1984 /, (The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.)

Lorenzo Alvary (1909-1996) was a Hungarian-born bass singer, who immigrated to the United States, where he would enjoy a long association with the Metropolitan Opera and other prominent opera companies.

Alvary was born in Debrecen, Hungary and studied law in Geneva and Budapest, but he abandoned his law career to study music in Milan and Berlin. He made his debut with the Budapest Opera in 1934 and he also sang with the Vienna State Opera in 1937. In 1938, Alvary came to the United States, making his American debut with the San Francisco Opera in a 1939 performance of Der Rosenkavalier. He joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1942 and would appear in a wide range of character roles over the next thirty-five years. Alvary also started his own radio show, Opera Topics, which he hosted on the New York stations WKCR and WNYC from 1963-1986. In 1972, he became the associate artistic director for the Miami Opera Guild. Other notable achievements by Alvary included his own production (under the auspices of the American Alvox Corportation) of The Spanish Lady and the Roman Cavalier (1961), an adaptation of Alessandro Scarlatti's opera, Scipio in Spain. The piece received its world premiere at La Fenice in Venice, Italy and featured the scenic designs (and other interventions) of the surrealist painter Salvador Dalí.

From the description of Lorenzo Alvary papers, 1919-1992. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 165085605