Otto Scheidl
Otto Scheidl was born on 23 October 1898 in Vitis (Austria). After school he first studied botany at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna and only additionally music (piano, violin, guitar) and singing under Alfred Julius Boruttau. Otto Scheidl earned a living during his student days with singing, church musician and accompanist. During these days he especially championed the songs by local composer Rudolf Süss which he helped to become popular in the German-speking countries.
After the completion of his studies Otto Scheidl focused on a career as a tenor. He gave his debut at the Schlosstheater Schönbrunn and his first engagement was in Reichenberg (now: Liberec, Czech Republic) in 1925. Later he sang at theatres and operas in Bremerhaven, Dortmund and Wiesbaden.
During his time in Bremerhaven Otto Scheidl met his future wife, Gerda Marie Scheidl (1913-2005) who was a renowned children's book writer.
After World War II Otto Scheidl settled in Bremerhaven again. He quit his singing career and founded a music school where he taught piano, violin and guitar. From time to time Otto Scheidl returned on stage for singing performances or recorded for radio broadcasts. But in 1969 he was asked by the Bremerhaven Theatre to return fulltime as repetiteur and artistic adviser. And so Otto Scheidl gave up his music school and other obligations to work at the theatre. He fulfilled this position until his retirement in 1985 at the age of 87! During his time at the theatre in Bremerhaven he also returned on stage as tenor from time to time. His last performance as Altoum in Turandot in 1982 brought him the Guiness Book record as the oldest opera singer.
Beside his work as opera singer and music teacher Otto Scheidl was also a composer. He composed over 100 songs, choral works, waltzes, sonatas and other chamber music. Only a handful of these works were published during his lifetime.
Otto Scheidl died on 11 March 1993 in Salzhemmendorf (Germany).
In my possession are 4 autograph manuscripts of songs by Otto Scheidl:
- Abendlied, for voice and piano (text by Gerda marie Scheidl)
- Suse, suse Windchen, for voice and piano
- Es steht im Wald ein Tannenbaum, for voice and piano (text by Gerda Marie Scheidl), incomplete
- [last part of a song with the beginning missing, maybe titled "Vieltausend Erden"]
There is so little information about the composer Otto Scheidl, that I decided to present the two complete songs - Abendlied and Suse, suse Windchen - here for information purpose:
