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Ranked just behind the legendary Caruso, Austrian opera singer Richard Tauber is celebrated as one of the finest Mozartian tenors of early to mid-20th century Europe.
Born on May 16, 1891, in Linz, Austria, Tauber was the illegitimate son of Elisabeth Seiffert, a soubrette who performed locally and toured, and Richard Anton Tauber, a legitimate actor who was unaware of his paternity for some time. Richard accompanied his mother during her tours at a young age, developing a deep passion for music, but the constant travel proved challenging for his mother. At age six, he was sent to live with his father, who then took charge of his upbringing.
Initially trained in voice, Tauber appeared to lack intensity and depth, receiving lukewarm feedback from his instructors. Unable to perform the demanding works of his idol, composer Richard Wagner, he shifted his focus to piano and composition before studying with renowned voice teacher Professor Carl Beines. Beines redirected him toward singing, emphasizing the classical repertoire of Mozart.
Recognizing his operatic strengths, Tauber quickly advanced and made his public concert debut in 1912. The following year, with support from his father, then Intendant of the Municipal and Stadt-Theater in Chemnitz, he debuted on stage as Tamino in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Days later, he portrayed Max in "Der Freischütz," earning a five-year contract with the Dresden Opera. He later joined Vienna and Berlin companies, expanding his repertoire with roles in "Don Giovanni," "Tosca," "Mignon," "Faust," and "Carmen," while also making numerous recordings.
Tauber broadened his lyrical tenor by venturing into lighter operettas, a novel move at the time. His first Franz Lehár operetta was "Zigeunerliebe" in Berlin, 1920. In 1922, he starred as Armand in Lehár's "Frasquita" at Theater an der Wien, achieving great success. He revitalized Lehár's waning career and expanded his own fan base. Lehár composed several works tailored for Tauber's voice, including "Der Zarewitsch" (1926), "Friederike" (1928), "The Land of Smiles" (1929), "Beautiful Is the World" (1930), and "Giuditta."
Tauber also conducted at the Vienna Theater, where he met and married soprano Carlotta Vanconti. Though they occasionally toured together, their marriage ended in separation after a year and divorce two years later. Tauber embraced the emerging medium of talking pictures with musical films such as Das Land des Lächelns (1930), Never Trust a Woman (1930), The Alluring Goal (1930), The Big Attraction (1931), and Right to Happiness (1932).
Being partly Jewish on his father's side, Tauber faced challenges as Nazism rose in Austria, leading to frequent performances abroad, especially in London, where he also starred in popular musical films. After conflicts with Nazi authorities, he emigrated to London, appearing in musicals and earning acclaim for roles such as composer Franz Schubert in April Blossoms (1934), as well as in Heart's Desire (1935), A Clown Must Laugh (1936), and Forbidden Music (1936). In 1936, he married frequent British co-star Diana Napier.
Tauber made his London operatic debut with "The Magic Flute" in 1938. Though welcomed in the U.S., he remained loyal to England during World War II. With no opera productions in wartime Britain, he supported himself through concerts, conducting, composing operettas, radio broadcasts, and recordings. His operetta "Old Chelsea" featured his signature song, "My Heart and I." In 1947, he sought medical help for a persistent cough, which was diagnosed as lung cancer.
Despite severe breathing difficulties and the collapse of a lung, Tauber delivered a brilliant performance as Don Ottavio in "Don Giovanni" at Covent Garden on September 27, 1947, and fulfilled another engagement the next day at the Camden Theatre, beginning and ending his remarkable career with Mozart. On October 1, he was admitted to Guy's Hospital for lung cancer surgery, which took place the following day—just five days after his final performance.
Tauber passed away from complications on January 8, 1948. His devoted second wife, Diana, published his first biography a year after his death and followed with "My Heart and I" in 1959.
