Oscar Natzka, bass- Hear me ye winds and waves (Handel)

Oscar Natzka (1912-1951)

A curious and ultimately sad case among 20th century basses is that of Oscar Natzka (originally Natzke), who would undoubtedly be better known today were it not for his untimely passing in 1951, at the age of 39. Born on a small farm in New Zealand, Natzka began formal training in Auckland with retired opera singer William Garret and made his debut at the Town Hall in 1932. Three years later he was awarded a scholarship to study with world-renowned voice specialist Albert Garcia at the London Trinity College of Music. After graduating, he auditioned for and was accepted by Covent Garden, where he attracted considerable attention as the blind feudal lord De Fulke in the world premiere of George Lloyd's opera "The Serf". Natzka eventually became very popular in England, especially after the war, but his initial forays in the U.S. were less fruitful. An audition with the MET in 1941 yielded no results, as the company had just signed Ezio Pinza and did not need another principal bass. However, Natzka did have some success at the New York City Opera, where he bowed as Sparafucile in 1948 and was signed to a four year contract. Sadly, it was also in New York that Natzka died of a stroke during a performance of "Der Meistersinger".

As for Natzka's recording career, it began almost simultaneously with his early Covent Garden performances (the bass signed with EMI's Parlophone division in 1938.). And what of the voice itself? The Yorkshire Post described it as "a deep sonorous bass, whose low notes come right from the pit of the stomach like the chords of a great organ". Perhaps that is slightly overstating the case, but the instrument is certainly impressive. Although it lacks the warmth of, say, Siepi, Shtokolov, or Petrov; it is quite large, always smooth, very well-polished, and with a substantial range (down to a resonant low C in the song 'In cellar cool'). Also, Natzka's diction is clear as a bell, and the veddy, veddy British manner is quite suited to the aria at hand- 'Hear me ye winds and waves', from Handel's little-recorded opera "Scipione" of 1726- which I have chosen for Natzka's Youtube debut. The recording dates from February 23, 1939, with H. Robinson Cleaver at the organ.

Видео Oscar Natzka, bass- Hear me ye winds and waves (Handel) канала khankonchak