Throughout his 24-year tenure at the Metropolitan Opera, Lauritz Melchior reigned supreme as the heroic tenor of his time. He was acclaimed by many critics as the last great Heldentenor and his performances in Tristan und Isolde, Siegfried, Goetterdaemmerung Lohengrin, Tannhauser and Parsifal remain well-known. His portrayal of Isolde's beloved inspired Toscanini's appellation Tristanissimo. He later became a popular star, appearing on the Fred Allen...