Fred Drissen (Bass)

Born: February 25, 1898 - Germany

The German bass, Fred Drissen, was pupil of Ernst Grenzebach in Berlin.

Fred Drissen began his career as a concert singer. He sang constantly at the big concert meetings in Berlin from 1925 to 1944 and developed an international career of many years. In Germany he was in Hamburg, Dresden, Leipzig, Köln, Munich, Hannover and in many further cities as a guest. In 1927 he gave concerts in Paris, in 1928 at Milan’s La Scala, in 1931 in Stockholm, in 1938 and 1939 in Brussels. He appeared as a concert singer in Holland, Hungary, Switzerland, Soviet Russia and the USA. He was esteemed in particular as soloist in the 9^th Symphony and Misssa Solemnis of L.v. Beethoven, in the Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244) by J.S. Bach, in Schöpfung by Haydn and in the Verdi Requiem. Temporarily he appeared also as a member of a vocal quartet, to which belonged also Helene Fahrni, Hildegard Hennecke and Heinz Marten.

Since 1934 Fred Drissen worked as a lecturer at the Staatlichen Institut für Kirchen- und Schulmusik (National Institute for Church and School Music) in Berlin, since 1935 Professor at the Berlin’s Musikhochschule, after World War II at the National Academy Detmold. Even if he had no actual opera career, then he could nevertheless be heard in the 1930’s several times in broadcast transmissions of operas

Recordings: Polydor (Mozart Requiem, Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244) by J.S. Bach under Bruno Kittel). Also recordings on Columbia, Vox and HMV.

Source: Operissimo Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (May 2004)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2004)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Bruno Kittel

Bass

BWV 244

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