Scaria, Emil

1838-1886

Austrian bass singer; born at Gratz, in Styria; first studied to be a lawyer, but finding his interests were almost wholly in the realm of music, he entered the Vienna Conservatory, becoming a pupil of Gentiluomo and Levy, and later studied in London with Garcia. He sang at Dessau two years later, Abt having procured him an engagement there, and from 1865 to 1872 he was at Dresden, appearing in opera; he also appeared at Vienna as a vocalist. Scaria was most successful in Wagnerian roles, and distinguished himself in the interpretation of parts in the operas of Mozart, Weber, Cimarosa, Cherubini and Boieldieu. He also sang the part of St. Bris in Les Huguenots. In 1880 he visited the United States, taking part in a series of Wagnerian festivals arranged by Theodore Thomas. From 1872 to 1880 he was conductor of the Opera and opera manager at a theatre in Vienna. Scaria took part in the production of Parsifal by the Royal Choral Society of London in 1884, creating the part of Gurnemanz, and singing with Therese Malten, the original Kundry. Two years later he took part in the production of the music drama at Bayreuth. His best parts were the Landgrave in Tannhauser, Geronimo in II Matrimonio Segreto and Falstaff, in which part he made one of his greatest successes. He also sang the roles of Escamillo, Wotan, Hans Sachs and Marcel. He was one of the most remarkable bassos of his time. He became insane shortly before his death.