Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

March 18, 1950 in Wedingfeld

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Jan-Hendrik Rootering was a renowned Dutch bass-baritone who was born on September 24, 1941, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He was the son of a church organist and grew up in a musical family. Rootering began his musical training at a young age, studying piano and singing in his church choir. He later attended the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he studied voice with Jan van Mantgem. Rootering made his professional debut in 1966 at the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam, where he sang the role of the King in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." He quickly established himself as a leading bass-baritone in Europe, performing at major opera houses and festivals throughout the continent. He was particularly renowned for his interpretations of Wagnerian roles, including Wotan in "The Ring Cycle," Gurnemanz in "Parsifal," and Hans Sachs in "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg." Rootering also had a successful career as a concert singer, performing with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. He was known for his rich, powerful voice and his ability to convey the emotional depth of the music he sang. He recorded extensively, including several acclaimed recordings of Wagner's music. Throughout his career, Rootering received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1987, he was awarded the Order of the Netherlands Lion, one of the country's highest honors. He was also a recipient of the Bavarian Order of Merit and the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art. One of Rootering's most memorable performances was his portrayal of Wotan in the 1988 production of "The Ring Cycle" at the Bayreuth Festival. The production, directed by Harry Kupfer and conducted by Daniel Barenboim, was widely acclaimed and is considered one of the greatest productions of Wagner's masterpiece. Rootering continued to perform well into his 60s, but his career was cut short by illness. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and passed away on July 22, 2018, at the age of 76. His death was mourned by the classical music world, which had lost one of its most beloved and respected artists. Jan-Hendrik Rootering was a true master of his craft, a singer who brought passion, depth, and power to every performance. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the memories of those who were fortunate enough to hear him sing live. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest bass-baritones of his generation.

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