Friedhelm Hessenbruch (Bass)

Born: 1926 - Köln, Germany

The German bass, Friedhelm Hessenbruch, studied voice at the Musikhochschule of Stuttgart.

Friedhelm Hessenbruch began his operatic career in 1949 at the Staatsoper Stuttgart and then was engaged from 1951 to 1953 at the Stadttheater Flensburg, and from 1953 to 1955 as the first bass at the Opernhaus Zürich. After an illness he gave up his stage career and turned to the concert singing. In 1957 he had in this area his first major success as a soloist in Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244) by J.S. Bach. His career developed quickly now. He sang in oratorio and recitals in West and East Germany, but performed successfully in Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland and Denmark as well. He became known by his involvement in radio broadcasts, some of which took place on French and Swiss stations. He was a noted Bach interpreter, but was also appreciated in oratorios and sacred music works by George Frideric Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Verdi, Rossini and Bruckner.

Since 1966 Friedhelm Hessenbruch is a lecturer, since 1972 a lecturer at the Stuttgart Musikhochschule.

Recordings: DGG (Concerti by Monteverdi).

Source: Operissimo Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (May 2010)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2010)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Max Thurn

Bass

Radio: BWV 37

Links to other Sites

Hessenbruch Friedhelm (Operissimo) [German]