Aksel Schiøtz

Danish Tenor and Lieder Singer

Aksel Schiøtz (1906–1975) was a Danish tenor who was considered one of Europe's leading Lieder singers after World War II. He is the father of Birgitte Grimstad. From the liner notes of RCA Victor Red Label LM-1968: "The tenor was born in Roskilde, near Copenhagen, September 1, 1906. Though always fond of music, young Aksel was educated to be a school teacher. On receiving his M.A. in 1929, he embarked upon this chosen career. Although he enjoyed singing for his own pleasure, it was not until 1938 that Schiøtz decided to enter the Royal Opera School in Copenhagen. Later he went on to Stockholm, where he worked with John Forsell, a baritone once known to audiences at New York's Metropolitan opera, at this time director of the opera in Copenhagen. During that first year of 1938 Schiøtz was broadcasting from Copenhagen and was heard by a talent scout for His Master's Voice, and so began his recording career. In 1939 he made his operatic debut in Copenhagen, singing the exacting role of Ferrando in "Cosi Fan Tutte." His recital career was launched promisingly on April 6, 1940, but was cut short by the Nazi invasion. The story of the years that followed would make exciting but harrowing reading, for Schiotz was one of the key figures in the Danish Resistance. He did manage to continue his singing to such effect that he came to be known as "The Voice of Denmark," and a knighthood was conferred upon him by King Christian X. A new phase of his career began with the close of the war, first with highly successful tours of Norway and Sweden, then with regular visits to England. In 1945 he broadcast for the first time over the BBC, and in 1947 he appeared at the Edinburgh Festival. At this time the strain of the war years took its toll and he was stricken with what proved to be a tumor acousticus. Happily, the operations he had to undergo were successful, and he was able to resume his career the following year. His American debut took place in Waterbury, Connecticut, October 12, 1948; eight days later he appeared in New York's Town Hall. During the summer of 1955 he crossed the ocean again to sing at the festival at Stratford, Ontario, and has since been on the faculty of Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota." Liner notes by Philip L. Miller