New-York tribune., 1915-02-28
BERGER, TENOR, i'll
IN ARMY, DIES HERE
Singer Is Stricken as He
Plans to Take Part
i'm Opera.

Rudolf Berger, the Austrian tenor,
who was one Of the principal singers
in German operas at the Metropolitan,
died suddenly last night within fifteen
minute, after he had told Gatti-Ca-
sazza That he would be able TO sing
in Tristan" this week. Death came
at $3.50 in the apartments at 2ol west
Eightv-ninth Street, occupied by the
tenor and his wife. Nine. Rsppold, also
of the Metropolitan,
Last season was Berger first at the
opera in this city. The war in Europe
postponed his return, as he enlisted
and started for the front. 4 fore
runner of the paralysis of the heart,
which ended his career, it is now be
lieyed. was the cause OF his collapse
and subsequent discharge from the
army.
He arrived here -in Nov7aber, but
did not appear at the Metropolitan an
Ill week ago Thursday afternoons
when ne sang one Of his fayorite parts,
Siegfricd. in "Gotterdammerung.' 1t
was noticed at the time that he was
not in good voice, but-he explained 1t
by saving that he did not feel well, and
thought he had a touch of rheumatism.
His condition remaining unchanged, ne
was forced to stay away from the
Opera House Wednesday. when he was
announced to appear IN "Dle wal
kurs."
In making up his rcpertory for the
coming week, Gatti-CBsaZza wished 10
include the tenor in the cast OF rls-
tan and Isolde" To be sure that no
false announcement be given out, the
general manager of the Metropolitan
telephoned yesterday afternoon. Nine:
Rappold replied, and when asked II
her husband would be able to sing this
week suggested that Dir. Gattl come
up or send doctor .,
Accordingly, the manager. OTTO Wen.
of the staff. and DR.. julius Frankei, OF
! 2ls East Fifteenth Street, motored up
to Eighty Street. arriving about
| 6:15. Berger was in bed, but insisted
! that he felt so much better that ne IN
tended 10 get up to-day and 90 out
door.
There was more converse ZION OF simi-
lar import, until DR.. Frankel, who was
at the bedside. suddenly became very
grave. scribbed prescription and sent
We'll out 10 fill it. The messenger had
lust passed through the door, When
! the stalwart tenor gasped, put ms mana
TO his heart and sank back dead.
If was recalled o. the Metropolitan
! last night that Putnam Gr!swold, the
]
urder somewhat similar circumstances.
Rerger was born in Brunn, Austria,
th;rty-eight years ago. When he mad
reached his full height he WAS 8 feet 4
inches tall. At the time OF ms enlist
ment he weighed 240 pounds.
His Wacnerian traditions were gained
nj Rayreuth and the Royal Opera, IN
Berlin, whore he sang for number OF
seasons. He was found Of telling how
he had formerly been a barytone and OF
.he change which made him tenor,
81 was really always tenor, ne
would saw. "gnd the reason that | was
/ first a barytone is due 10 my teacheI
M Brunn. Strange 10 say, the cause
Law in the fact that Leo Slezak ana
/ n,yself were fellow students with the
/ same teacher. We we're the same
bcirLt. only he was blonde and J was
/ darf ard our teacher did not wish 20
. .urn ont two tenors. So. you see, !
beinr darl.. the color OF villans, he
I choss me as the lamb for the slaugh-
! ter Thus | became barytone. while
Slezak STAYED where he belonged, and
7 our teacher thought he had done a
( clever thing,
$50. for years sang barytone parts
/ and did not know what was the matter
with me until ore day well known
New York singing teacher heard me az
Bayreuth. and told me that was real
/ lv A tenor. Somehow or other l be-
/ lieved in him, and each summer came
10 New York 10 study with him.
3 Tristan and Siegfried were his favor
ite parts, and he was also partial 20
Walther and Otello. He had sung
John the Baptist nearly a hundred
times in his barytonc days. and had
been heard here as Siegnund and IN
"Lohengrin." 49,
The tenor married Nine Rappold IN
Jersey City July 3, 1918. She vas for
merlv the wife os DR.. ]. {. kappold'
/ jr.. Of Brooklyn. The artists met when
they sang together in "Lohengtin' at
: the Royal Opera. Berlin.
About a year ago a woman who was
then earning her living as COOK IN
a downtown restaurant announced that
! wears ago in Germany they mad been
( friends. when she was rich and he was
poor. She said her engagement TO a
! rich man had been broken because OF
the singer. She further declared that
two valuable rings given TO Berger
never had been returned. Until ne
came to New York the woman said she
had not heard of him in years.