A Very Special Voice OSCAR NATZKA 1912 - 1951

[salymap]

This very great bass sang at the RAH in short song recitals as part of several Proms. He was born in New Zealand and his German father died when Oscar was 15, when he had to leave school and work as a labourer. He later became a blacksmith, building up his muscles and stamina which helped his future career.

I discovered a little book about him years ago,complete with a CD giving examples of the roles he played in opera.

My recording is from www.atollcd.com no ACD801, but am afraid it may not still be available.

Does anybody remember him and do you have memories of a singer not much heard of today?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

not at all salymap but you prompted a youtube look and here he is ...

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

and here is the other youtube clip, only two i can see

[salymap]

Thanks Calum, I particularly remember him singing Osmin's Aria in English, 'When a maiden takes your fancy'
He had a great sense of humour and 'Deeper and Deeper Still' ? composer ? was very deep indeed, but he never sounded strained like some basses. Of course, your recording from 1939 shows its age.I couldn't copy out more of my booklet on him but he certainly sang at the ROH .