Max Alvary by Sarony

Max Alvary, born Maximilian Achenbach (1856-1898); German tenor.
He studied in Frankfurt am Main with Julius Stockhausen and in Milan with Francesco Lamperti. In 1879 he made his debut (under the name of Max Anders) at the Hoftheater von Weimar in the title role of Von Flotow's "Alessandro Stradella". Until 1885 he remained at Weimar and his most memorable (lyric) roles were Lyonel in "Martha", Don Ottavio in "Don Giovanni" and Gennaro in "Lucrezia Borgia". With the years his voice turned more dramatic.This combined with his handsome stage presence speedily gave him a reputation in Germany in the leading roles of Wagnerian opera's. From 1885 onwards he also appeared in America and England. He was engaged at the Metropolitan New York from 1885/89 where in 1888 he created the title role in the American première of Wagner's "Siegfried". He made guest appearances in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington. He returned to Germany and sang at Bayreuth, Munich and Hamburg. In 1893 he performed Siegfried in London at his Covent Garden debut. In 1895 he took part in a second USA tour, this time with the Damrosch Opera company. In 1894 he was seriously injured in a fall -while rehearsing Siegfried- and he never fully recovered. He retired from the stage in 1897 and died one year later.

On the photo he is seen as Siegfried in Wagner's eponymous opera.