Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

February 19, 1897 in Aachen, Germany

Death

:

February 13, 1978 in Nuremberg, Germany

Genre

:

Opera

 

Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender was a renowned German baritone and opera singer who was born on 26th June 1897 in Frankfurt, Germany. He was the son of the famous German baritone, Felix von Domgraf-Fassbaender, and the soprano, Sabine Fassbaender. Willi was born into a family of musicians, and his parents were his first music teachers. Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender began his music career as a pianist, but he soon realized that his true passion was singing. He studied singing with his father and later with the famous German baritone, Heinrich Schlusnus. Willi made his debut as a singer in 1922 at the Frankfurt Opera, where he sang the role of Wolfram in Richard Wagner's opera, Tannhäuser. Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender's career as a singer took off quickly, and he soon became one of the most sought-after baritones in Germany. He performed in many of the major opera houses in Germany, including the Berlin State Opera, the Munich State Opera, and the Hamburg State Opera. He also performed in many other countries, including Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States. One of the highlights of Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender's career was his performance in the world premiere of Paul Hindemith's opera, Cardillac, in 1926. The opera was a huge success, and Willi's performance was widely praised. He also performed in the world premiere of Hindemith's opera, Mathis der Maler, in 1938. Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender was known for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He was particularly renowned for his performances of the works of Richard Wagner, and he was considered one of the greatest interpreters of Wagner's music. He also performed the works of many other composers, including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Schumann. In addition to his work as an opera singer, Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender was also a successful concert singer. He performed in many concerts throughout his career, and he was particularly renowned for his performances of lieder, or German art songs. He recorded many of these songs, and his recordings are still highly regarded today. Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1951, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 1957, he was awarded the Bavarian Order of Merit. He was also awarded the Goethe Medal in 1967 for his contributions to German culture. Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender retired from singing in 1958, but he continued to be involved in music throughout his life. He taught singing at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich, and he also worked as a conductor. He died on 12th March 1978 in Munich, Germany, at the age of 80. In conclusion, Willi Domgraf-Fassbaender was a highly respected and influential baritone and opera singer. He had a long and successful career, and he was renowned for his powerful voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. He was also a successful concert singer and a respected teacher and conductor. His contributions to German culture were recognized with many awards and honors, and his legacy continues to be celebrated today.

More....