Birth

:

August 6, 1888 in Braubach, Germany

Death

:

June 12, 1952 in Frankfurt, Germany

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Heinrich Schlusnus was a renowned German baritone who was born on August 6, 1888, in Braubach, Germany. He was the son of a schoolteacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a choir director and his mother was a singer. Schlusnus showed an early interest in music and began singing in his father's choir at a young age. Schlusnus received his formal musical education at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, where he studied under the tutelage of the famous baritone Julius Stockhausen. He made his professional debut in 1915 at the Stadttheater in Mainz, where he performed the role of Wolfram in Richard Wagner's opera Tannhäuser. Schlusnus quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented baritones of his generation. He was known for his rich, warm voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He was also praised for his impeccable technique and his attention to detail. Throughout his career, Schlusnus performed in some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. He was particularly renowned for his performances of Mozart's operas, including Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro. One of Schlusnus's most famous performances was his portrayal of the title character in Richard Strauss's opera Der Rosenkavalier. He first performed the role in 1926 at the Berlin State Opera and went on to perform it many times throughout his career. His interpretation of the role was widely praised for its depth and sensitivity. In addition to his work in opera, Schlusnus was also a prolific recitalist. He was known for his interpretations of German lieder, particularly those of Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered several works by composers such as Paul Hindemith and Ernst Krenek. Schlusnus received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1936, he was awarded the Goethe Medal for his contributions to German culture. He was also awarded the title of Kammersänger by the Berlin State Opera in 1929 and was made an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera in 1942. Despite his success, Schlusnus's career was not without its challenges. He lived and worked during a tumultuous time in German history, and his career was often affected by political events. He was briefly banned from performing in 1933 after the Nazis came to power, but he was able to resume his career after a few months. He also faced criticism from some quarters for his decision to continue performing in Germany during the war. Schlusnus continued to perform well into his seventies, and he remained a beloved figure in the world of classical music until his death in 1952. He left behind a rich legacy of recordings and performances that continue to inspire and delight audiences today.

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