Ernst Häfliger was a Swiss tenor and conductor who was born on July 6, 1919, in Davos, Switzerland. He was the son of a hotelier and grew up in a musical family. His father played the piano, and his mother sang in a choir. Häfliger began singing in the choir at his local church when he was a child and showed a natural talent for music. Häfliger studied at the Zurich Conservatory and made his debut as a tenor in 1943 in Zurich. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented singer and was invited to perform in major opera houses and concert halls around the world. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Bach, Mozart, and Schubert. One of Häfliger's most significant performances was in 1950 when he sang the role of the Evangelist in Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the Edinburgh Festival. The performance was a huge success and established Häfliger as one of the leading interpreters of Bach's music. He went on to perform the work many times throughout his career, including a memorable performance in 1965 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Häfliger also had a successful career as a conductor and was particularly known for his interpretations of Mozart's operas. He conducted many performances of Mozart's works, including Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, and Così fan tutte. He was also a respected teacher and taught at the Zurich Conservatory and the Salzburg Mozarteum. Throughout his career, Häfliger received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1963, he was awarded the Hans Georg Nägeli Medal by the city of Zurich for his services to music. He was also awarded the Mozart Medal by the International Mozarteum Foundation in 1979. Häfliger continued to perform and conduct well into his 80s. He died on March 17, 2016, at the age of 96. His legacy as a talented tenor, conductor, and teacher continues to inspire musicians around the world.

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