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