Gura, Eugen

1842-1906

Eminent Bohemian dramatic barytone; born at Pressern, near Saatz. Was intended first for a scientist, and accordingly studied first at the Polytechnic, Vienna; next took up art at the Vienna Academy, and later at a school of painting in Munich. Here he decided to follow a musical career, and, after a course in the Munich Conservatory under Joseph Herger, made his debut as Count Liebenau, in Waffenschmied, and was at once engaged for two years. Other engagements followed; from 1867 to 1870 he sang at Breslau, and from 1870 to 1876 at Leipsic, attaining the reputation of being one of the best barytones in Germany. In 1876 he sang at Bayreuth, and later was engaged at Hamburg, where he sang till 1883, and in 1882 in German opera at London. From 1883 he was engaged at Munich until his retirement from the stage in 1895, after a career of nearly thirty years. He continued, however, to sing in concert, and was known as a fine' interpreter of German songs. His impersonation of Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger was considered a remarkable performance, and he appeared in this role once or twice after his retirement.