Ernst Kraus

Ernst Kraus (June 8, 1863 – September 5, 1941) was a German dramatic tenor best known for his performances in the operas of Richard Wagner.

He decided to embark on an operatic career when he heard leading singers performing in Nuremberg.

He was appointed the leading tenor of the Berlin Staatsoper in 1896, holding that position for 27 continuous years.

In 1901, he appeared at the Bayreuth Festival as Siegmund in Die Walküre, the role in which he made his New York Metropolitan Opera debut on November 25, 1903.

It is preserved in several cylinders recorded for Thomas Edison's German branch between 1905 and 1910, among them "Am Stillen Herd" from Die Meistersinger (no.