German opera singer (baritone) (born June 8, 1872 in Berlin, Germany died April 13, 1929 in Hamburg, Germany)
Goritz debuted in 1895 as Matteo in "Fra Diavolo" at the Court Theater in Neu Stelitz, Mecklenburg. Later, he sang in Breslau and Hamburg.
Goritz then received a contract with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where he performed in 25 operas (mostly German, 1 Italian) between 1903 and 1917, including the leading Wagnerian baritone roles. His greatest success was as Beckmesser in Wagner's "Meistersinger." When the United States joined World War I, the opera stopped performing its German repertory. Goritz was forced to resign, not least because of a rumor that he had sung a parodic song on the sinking of the RMS "Lusitania" at a private party on New Year's Eve 1916. He remained, however, in the United States.
In 1919, after the war had ended, Goritz founded the Star Opera Company. The company tried to perform at the Lexington Opera House in German, but a riot on opening night and protests by the American Legion forced it to disband. In 1920 Goritz returned to Hamburg, where he continued to sing at the State Opera House.
Real Name
- Otto Dietrich Robert Goritz