Musical Memories: My Recollections of Celebrities of the Half Century, 1850-1900 1908
(Originally published in 1908. This volume from the Cornel...)
Originally published in 1908. This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies. All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume.
Charles R. Adams was an American opera singer. He had a commanding stage presence and was particularly admired for his interpretations of the works of Richard Wagner.
Background
Charles R. Adams was born in Charlestown, Massachussets, United States, the son of Charles and Eliza Ann (Runey) Adams. The father who was a farmer and Mayflower descendant and the mother was descended from at least two previous generations of American-born. Both families had fought in the Revolution. Several of the eight children became choir singers and frequently sang together at home.
Education
Adams manifested unusual musical ability and possessed a voice of natural beauty. He began his musical studies at an early age, having as teachers, Edwin Bruce, Madame Arnault, and R. Mulder, all of Boston. Mulder, recognizing the possibilities of his student, induced him to accompany him to Europe, where he studied with Barbière.
Career
In 1856 Adams sang the tenor part in The Creation with the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, and for the next five years he appeared in oratorio, as well as in concert, touring not only this country but the West Indies, where he sang also in opera.
Adams was called to the Vienna Opera to sing the tenor rôle in La Sonnambula with Mlle. Artot. He learned his rôle in three days and achieved a notable triumph. He toured Holland and Russia, after which he was given a three-year engagement at Budapest, though he did not complete the full period of his contract because of being called to a larger field--the Royal Opera in Berlin, where he remained three years.
In 1867 he became the principal tenor at the Imperial Opera (Hofoper) in Vienna, where he remained until 1876--nine years. Besides this Vienna engagement he sang in opera for two seasons in Covent Garden, London, one season at the Royal Opera in Madrid, also one season at La Scala, Milan, and in the principal German opera houses.
After gaining great success he came to America with the Strakosch Company for the season of 1877-1878. He appeared in German opera with Madame Pappenheim and in Italian opera with Clara Louise Kellogg, Marie Litta, and Annie Louise Cary. He sang in the first American performance of Rienzi.
From 1879 until his death he lived in Boston, devoting the last twenty years of his life to teaching, in which field he was also eminently successful. He taught many distinguished singers, among them Grace Hiltz, Nellie Melba, and Emma Eames.
He died at his summer home at West Harwich, on Cape Cod, Massachussets.
(Originally published in 1908. This volume from the Cornel...)
Personality
Adams had a splendid physique, regular, clear-cut features, and a commanding stage presence.
Quotes from others about the person
"He was the most accomplished native tenor of his time and had not merely a very powerful voice, but a very sweet one and one of great range. He sang with dramatic expression and a peculiarly refined and artistic finish. His Tannhäuser and Lohengrin had made him a famous reputation both in this country and in Europe. " - George Upton