He obtained a PhD in philology, which is why he figured as "Dr. Max Nicolaus" throughout his career. Having decided to
become an opera tenor, he made his debut in 1910.
The important part of his career (1916–26) was spent in Dortmund, from where he made regular guest appearances in
Düsseldorf. After quitting the stage, he was head of the opera school in Dortmund.
Reference 1, reference 2
Many thanks to Axel Weggen for the recordings.