Walfrid Lehto, originally Valfrid Olganpoika, (May 11, 1896 – January 4, 1946[1]) was a Finnish American singer. He is better known by his stage name Volpi Leuto.

Walfrid Lehto
Walfrid Lehto in the 1920s.
Walfrid Lehto in the 1920s.
Background information
Birth nameValfrid Olganpoika
Born(1896-05-11)May 11, 1896
Hassi, Jämsä, Finland
DiedJanuary 4, 1946(1946-01-04) (aged 49)
Hassi, Jämsä, Finland
GenresOpera, schlager music
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1920s and 1930s
LabelsHis Master's Voice, Victor Talking Machine Company

Lehto learned to sing in his home town of Hassi, Jämsä,[2] and made a study trip to California in 1926.[3] He settled down in New York City, where he performed at cafes and restaurants.[4] Between 1928 and 1929, Lehto recorded 20 Finnish songs for His Master's Voice and Victor Talking Machine Company in New York. All recordings were made under his stage name Volpi Leuto and some recordings were made with the Finnish-American Östman-Stein Orchestra.[5] For eight years Lehto lived in America and returned to Finland in the 1930s. He was no longer able to sing, and died a poor man in his home town of Hassi.[2]

Discography edit

July 6, 1928 edit

  • Kulkurin masurkka
  • Ramona

August 20, 1928 edit

  • Angela mia
  • Maria Mari

December 10, 1928 edit

  • Elomme päivät
  • Hyvästi jää

December 18, 1928 edit

  • Volgan venemiesten laulu

December 20, 1928 edit

  • Vanhat mummot

December 24, 1928 edit

  • Aurinkoinen
  • Siirtolaisen kaiho

March 7, 1929 edit

  • Oi kiitos sä luojani armollinen (together with Margherita Violante)
  • Soipa kieli (together with Margherita Violante)
  • Tuoll' on mun kultani (together with Margherita Violante)
  • Äiti ja kulkuripoika (together with Margherita Violante

April 26, 1929 edit

  • Sä olet mielestän kaunihimpi

May 15, 1929 edit

  • Tuule tuuli leppeämmmin

June 6, 1929 edit

  • Miks' onneansa etsii (together with Annie Mörk)
  • Mustalaisruhtinatar (together with med Annie Mörk)

July 5, 1929 edit

  • Pyhä napoli
  • Pääsky

References edit

  1. ^ Geni.com Retrieved: August 3, 2019
  2. ^ a b Jokinen, Kimmo (2011). Hassin kyläkirja.
  3. ^ "Walfrid Lehto Here on Friday". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, WA. May 24, 1927. p. 14. Retrieved August 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ Engelberg, Rafael Zacharias (1944). Suomi ja Amerikan suomalaiset: keskinäinen yhteys ja sen rakentaminen. p. 307.
  5. ^ Äänitearkisto.fi Retrieved: August 3, 2019