Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

March 31, 1899 in Neu-Isenburg

Death

:

December 5, 1965 in Darmstadt, Germany

Genre

:

Opera

 

Franz Völker was a renowned German tenor who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on February 16, 1899, in the city of Hamburg, Völker was the son of a music teacher. His father recognized his son's musical talent at an early age and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Völker began his musical training at the age of 14, studying under the guidance of his father. He later enrolled at the Hamburg Conservatory, where he received formal training in singing. During his time at the conservatory, Völker developed a deep passion for opera and began to focus his efforts on becoming an opera singer. In 1922, Völker made his debut as a professional singer, performing the role of Tamino in Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at the Hamburg State Opera. His performance was well-received, and he quickly gained a reputation as a talented young tenor. Over the next few years, Völker continued to perform in various operas and concerts throughout Germany, building a loyal fan base and earning critical acclaim. In 1926, Völker was invited to perform at the Bayreuth Festival, a prestigious event dedicated to the works of Richard Wagner. He made his debut at the festival in the role of Walther von Stolzing in Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg," a performance that cemented his reputation as one of the most promising young tenors of his generation. Over the next few years, Völker continued to perform at the Bayreuth Festival, earning critical acclaim for his performances in Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" and "Parsifal." He also performed at other major opera houses throughout Europe, including the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. In 1933, Völker was appointed as a member of the Berlin State Opera, one of the most prestigious opera companies in Germany. He quickly became one of the company's most popular performers, earning critical acclaim for his performances in operas such as "Don Giovanni," "The Marriage of Figaro," and "Carmen." However, Völker's career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. He was drafted into the German army in 1941 and served as a soldier on the Eastern Front. During his time in the army, Völker continued to sing, performing for his fellow soldiers and even recording a few songs for the German radio. After the war, Völker returned to the Berlin State Opera, where he resumed his career as a professional singer. He continued to perform in operas and concerts throughout Europe, earning critical acclaim for his performances in works by Mozart, Wagner, and Verdi. In 1951, Völker was awarded the title of Kammersänger, an honorary title given to distinguished singers in Germany. He also received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Merit of Berlin and the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Völker's career came to an abrupt end in 1955 when he suffered a stroke while performing in the opera "The Barber of Seville" at the Berlin State Opera. He was forced to retire from singing and spent the rest of his life in seclusion, living with his wife in a small village in Bavaria. Franz Völker passed away on September 13, 1965, at the age of 66. Despite his relatively short career, he left a lasting legacy in the world of classical music, earning a reputation as one of the greatest tenors of his generation.

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