I am conducting research on my grandfather, Sydney Rayner, who performed
thoughout Europe and the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. He died
in New York in 1981. If you have ANY information (good or bad - he was the
typical tempermental artist) regarding him, I'd like to hear from you.
Some basic information regarding Sydney Rayner is as follows:
The Baker's Biographical Dictionary has the following:
Sydney Rayner, tenor; b. New Orleans, Sep. 12, 1895; studied there
and in Paris and Milan; 1921, made his debut in the Teatro Adriano,
Rome, as Rodolfo; until 1929 engaged in various Italian opera houses;
1929, appeared at the Staatsoper, Berlin; 1930, made his Paris debut
as Julien in "Louise" at the Opera-Comique, of which he was a member
for 5 years; in the spring season of 1936 he sang at the Metropolitan
Opera House (debut as Don Jose); guest appearances with the San
Francisco and Los Angeles Operas; concert engagements in the US and
Europe.
Additionally, his performances at the Met were:
3 seasons
7 works
7 roles
38 performances
debut 5/23/36 -- last perf 4/6/38
AIDA -- Radames -- 1st perf. 5/27/36 (5 total)
CARMEN -- Don Jose -- 1st perf. 5/23/36 (5 total)
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA -- Turiddu -- 1st perf. 6/6/36 (7 total)
LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN -- Hoffmann -- 1st perf. 1/14/37 (2 total)
FAUST -- Faust -- 1st perf. 5/3/37 (2 total)
MANON -- Des Grieux -- 1st perf. 2/13/37 (3 total)
PAGLIACCI -- Canio -- 1st perf. 5/15/37 (1 total)
Other: Concerts -- 1/24/37, 2/14/37, 2/28/37, 3/21/37, 12/5/37, 1/2/38,
1/9/38, 1/16/38, 1/23/38, 2/6/38, 2/13/38, 2/27/38, 3/13/38 (13)
Following the end of his career from the Met, I've heard that he also had
several musical appearances on Broadway in 1947. I am very interested in
learning more about his Broadway appearances but unfortunately know no more
information other than the year was 1947.
If you can forward me any information or point me in new directions to
obtain more information please send an e-mail to [log in to unmask]
Thank you.
Mark Rayner
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