Heinz Friedrich (Baritone)

Born: December 26, 1921 - Berlin, Germany
Died: January 29, 1983 - Rottach-Egern (Oberbayern), Germany

The German baritone, Heinz Friedrich, received his training at the Musikhochschule Berlin, and was there also pupil of the great soprano Frida Leider.

In 1949 Heinz Friedrich made his debut at the Berliner Staatsoper as Papageno in Zauberflöte flute, and in 1949-1950 belonged to the Opernstudio of this house. He remained active at the Staatsoper Berlin until 1953, and then moved in 1953-1954 season to the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern. From 1954 to 1956 he sang at the Stadttheater of Augsburg, from 1956 to 1962 at the Staatstheater of Wiesbaden, and from 1959 until his death at the Theater am Gärtnerplatz München. At the Berliner Staatsoper he participated in March 1951 in the premiere of the opera Das Verhör des Lukullus by Paul Dessau. He made guest appearances, such as at the Wiener Staatsoper and at the Teatro Colón Buenos Aires (1961 as Faninal in Rosenkavalier). Among his stage roles should be mentioned Figaro in Barbier von Sevilla by Rossini, the title role in Rigoletto, Graf Luna in Troubadour, Silvio as well as Tonio in Bajazzo, Escamillo in Carmen, Sebastiano in Tiefland by Eugen d'Albert, Dominik in Arabella by R. Strauss, the title hero in Weinberger's Schwanda der Dudelsackpfeifer and Hortensio in Der Widerspenstigen Zähmung by H. Goetz; in addition numerous parts in operettas. In 1968 he participated at the Gärtnerplatztheater in München in the premiere of the opera Der widerspenstige Heilige by Mark Lothar.

During his career Heinz Friedrich appeared successfully also as a concert and Lieder singer.

Eterna (Lieder), Donauland (record of arias), IFM (Stephan in complete recording of the opera Regina by Lortzing), DGG (Ariadne auf Naxos).

Source: Operissimo Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (May 2006)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2006); Manfred Krugmann (Photos 01-03, July 2011)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Günther Ramin

Bass

BWV 201

Links to other Sites