Ludikar (real name, Vyskocil), Pavel

views updated

Ludikar (real name, Vyskočil), Pavel

Ludikar (real name, Vyskočil), Pavel, Czech bass-baritone; b. Prague, March 3,1882; d. Vienna, Feb. 19,1970. He studied law in Prague, and then took piano lessons, acquiring sufficient proficiency to accompany singers. He then finally devoted himself to his real profession, that of opera singing, and studied with Lassalle in Paris. He made his operatic debut as Sarastro at the Prague National Theater (1904), then appeared in Vienna, Dresden, and Milan; was a member of the Boston Civic Opera (1913–14). He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in N.Y. as Timur in Turandot on Nov. 16, 1926; remained on its roster until 1932; also sang with Hinshaw’s touring opera company. He essayed the role of Figaro in II Barbiere di Siviglia more than 100 times in the U.S. He created the title role in Krenek’s opera Karl V (Prague, June 22, 1938).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

More From encyclopedia.com