Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

July 1, 1908 in Essen, Germany

Death

:

September 10, 1954 in Hamburg, Germany

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Peter Anders was a renowned German tenor who was born on July 1, 1908, in Essen, Germany. He was the son of a coal miner and grew up in a working-class family. Despite his humble beginnings, Anders showed an early interest in music and began singing in his local church choir at a young age. Anders received his formal musical training at the Essen Conservatory, where he studied under the tutelage of the renowned German baritone, Heinrich Schlusnus. He made his professional debut in 1929 at the Stadttheater in Essen, where he performed the role of Tamino in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Anders quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young tenors in Germany, and he was soon offered a contract with the Berlin State Opera. He made his debut with the company in 1931, where he performed the role of Don Ottavio in Mozart's "Don Giovanni." Throughout the 1930s, Anders continued to perform with the Berlin State Opera, where he became known for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his performances. He also began to perform in other major opera houses throughout Europe, including the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and La Scala in Milan. One of Anders' most notable performances came in 1937, when he performed the role of Max in Weber's "Der Freischütz" at the Salzburg Festival. His performance was widely praised, and it helped to establish him as one of the leading tenors of his generation. Anders' career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, and he was drafted into the German army in 1941. He continued to perform for the troops, and he was eventually captured by the Allies in 1945 and held as a prisoner of war. After the war, Anders resumed his career as a tenor, and he quickly regained his status as one of the leading performers in Europe. He continued to perform in major opera houses throughout the continent, and he also began to make regular appearances on radio and television. One of Anders' most memorable performances came in 1950, when he performed the role of Don José in Bizet's "Carmen" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. His performance was widely praised, and it helped to establish him as one of the leading tenors of his generation in the United States. Anders continued to perform throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and he was widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of his time. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Anders' career was tragically cut short when he died in a plane crash on September 10, 1954, while traveling to a performance in Zurich, Switzerland. He was only 46 years old at the time of his death, but his legacy as one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century lives on through his recordings and performances.

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