Obituary, New York Times, Sunday, September 13, 1953, pg 85

Werrenrath Dies; Radio Singing Star

Baritone Who Was Heard in 20's Made Concert Appearances, Owned Music School

Plattsburg, N, Y, Sept. 12 AP

Reinald Werrenrath, concert and radio singing star of the Nineteen Twenties, died today in Physicians Hospital here. He was 70 years old. He had been staying at his summer home at near-by Chazy Lake when he suffered a heart attack a month ago and was admitted to the hospital.

Son of Danish Tenor

Reinald Werrenrath was born in Brooklyn August 7, 1883. He was the son of Charles (sic, the father was George) Werrenrath, a Danish tenor who made joint appearances in Paris with Gounod and who came to Brooklyn as a tenor soloist at Henry Ward Beecher's Plymouth church. His grandfather, John Peter Werrenrath, was well known in Denmark as a song interpreter. His mother, Aretta Camp Werrenrath, was a church and concert singer. With this family background, it was inevitable that young Reinald should turn to singing. He studied first with his father, then with Carl Dufft, Frank King Clark, Dr. Arthur Mees, and Percy Rector Stephens. At New York University, Mr. Werrenrath was soloist with the glee club. With William LeBaron and Deems Taylor, he collaborated on a musical, "The Eternal Question." Mr. Werrenrath made his oratorical debut in 1907 at the Worcester Festival singing Hans Sachs' monologue from "Die Meistersinger." His Metropolitan Opera debut took place February 19, 1919, when he sang Silvio in "Pagliacci," in a cast that included Florence Easton and Enrico Caruso. Later that season he sang Valentin in "Faust" and Escamillo in "Carmen." He did not return to the Metropolitan the next season and thereafter confined himself to concert, oratorio and radio appearances. He was one of the earliest stars of radio, singing regularly over station WEAF, which later became part of the N.B.C. network. During the years 1932-33 he was a member of N.B.C.'s music staff in this city. Mr. Werrenrath concertized widely throughout the United States and in his later years devoted himself to teaching. For several seasons he had conducted a summer music school at Chazy Lake. His last public appearance in this city was made October 23, 1952, when he sang a joint recital at Carnegie Recital Hall with Tom Donahue, tenor. In 1909 he married Ada Petersen. The couple had three children, George Hans, Mrs. Carleton B. Hutchins, Jr., and Reinald, Jr. The couple was divorced in 1927. The following year Mr. Werrenrath married Verna True Nidig, from whom he separated in 1939 and was divorced in 1941. He married Frances M. Aston in 1942.

Obituary, New York Times, Sunday, September 13, 1953, pg 85

Werrenrath Dies; Radio Singing Star

Baritone Who Was Heard in 20's Made Concert Appearances, Owned Music School

Plattsburg, N, Y, Sept. 12 AP

Reinald Werrenrath, concert and radio singing star of the Nineteen Twenties, died today in Physicians Hospital here. He was 70 years old. He had been staying at his summer home at near-by Chazy Lake when he suffered a heart attack a month ago and was admitted to the hospital.

Son of Danish Tenor

Reinald Werrenrath was born in Brooklyn August 7, 1883. He was the son of Charles (sic, the father was George) Werrenrath, a Danish tenor who made joint appearances in Paris with Gounod and who came to Brooklyn as a tenor soloist at Henry Ward Beecher's Plymouth church. His grandfather, John Peter Werrenrath, was well known in Denmark as a song interpreter. His mother, Aretta Camp Werrenrath, was a church and concert singer. With this family background, it was inevitable that young Reinald should turn to singing. He studied first with his father, then with Carl Dufft, Frank King Clark, Dr. Arthur Mees, and Percy Rector Stephens. At New York University, Mr. Werrenrath was soloist with the glee club. With William LeBaron and Deems Taylor, he collaborated on a musical, "The Eternal Question." Mr. Werrenrath made his oratorical debut in 1907 at the Worcester Festival singing Hans Sachs' monologue from "Die Meistersinger." His Metropolitan Opera debut took place February 19, 1919, when he sang Silvio in "Pagliacci," in a cast that included Florence Easton and Enrico Caruso. Later that season he sang Valentin in "Faust" and Escamillo in "Carmen." He did not return to the Metropolitan the next season and thereafter confined himself to concert, oratorio and radio appearances. He was one of the earliest stars of radio, singing regularly over station WEAF, which later became part of the N.B.C. network. During the years 1932-33 he was a member of N.B.C.'s music staff in this city. Mr. Werrenrath concertized widely throughout the United States and in his later years devoted himself to teaching. For several seasons he had conducted a summer music school at Chazy Lake. His last public appearance in this city was made October 23, 1952, when he sang a joint recital at Carnegie Recital Hall with Tom Donahue, tenor. In 1909 he married Ada Petersen. The couple had three children, George Hans, Mrs. Carleton B. Hutchins, Jr., and Reinald, Jr. The couple was divorced in 1927. The following year Mr. Werrenrath married Verna True Nidig, from whom he separated in 1939 and was divorced in 1941. He married Frances M. Aston in 1942.