Born: September 27, 1951 - Leisnig, Saxony, Germany

The German baritone, Jürgen Kurth, studied at the Musikhochschule of Leipzig with the teachers Rudolf Riemer and Hanne-Lore Kuhse. He was prize-winner at several singing competitions such as of Vercelli and Barcelona, Robert-Schumann-Wettbewerb in Zwickau (1981) and Concours Maria Callas in Athens (1983).

In the 1977-1978 season Jürgen Kurth made his debut at the Thuringian Landestheater in Gera as Dr. Cajus in the Lustigen Weibern von Windsor by Nicolai. In 1980 he went from Gera to the Opera House of Leipzig. Here he appeared successfully in an extensive repertoire, which included roles as Wolfram in Tannhäuser, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Mr. Fluth in Falstaff by Verdi, Zar in Zar und Zimmermann by Lortzing, the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro, Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti, Beckmesser in Meistersingern, Kuligin in Katja Kabanowa by Janácek (Leipzig, 1995), Fürst Myschkin in Der Idiot by Treibmann and the title role in Jakob Lenz by W. Rihm. Gust appearance brought him to opera houses in Spain (Oviedo) and Italy (Florence, Festival of Aquila, Ancona, Messina), as well as Japan successes. At the Israel Festival he appeared as the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro, in Zürich in Die wundersame Schustersfrau by Udo Zimmermann (1986). He has not less successful career on international level in the concert hall as oratorio and Lieder singer, whereby he has mastered a very extensive repertoire. He has often appeared as soloist with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. In 1982 he sang in Tokyo in the Deutschen Requiem by J. Brahms. In 1988 he was distinguished with the art prize of the City Leipzig.

Since 1988 Jürgen Kurth has taught at the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy-Musikhochschule in Leipzig.

Recordings: Eterna (Pax questuosa by U. Zimmermann), private recording Carmina Burana by C. Orff.

Source: Operissimo Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (August 2006)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (August 2006)

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Max Pommer

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BWV 245 [VHS]

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