Hans-Martin Nau (Bass)

Born: January 16, 1937 - Wegeleben by Halberstadt, Germany

The German bass, Hans-Martin Nau, got his training in Weimar by Schubert-Hofmann, then by E. Feyerabend.

In 1960 Hans-Martin Nau made his stage debut at the Stadttheater of Plauen as Count Ceprano in Verdi’s Rigoletto and sang there his first big role as Alfonso in Così fan tutte. He appeared until 1963 in Plauen and was then in 1963-1964 engaged at the Landestheater in Halle (Saale). He remained also further connected with this theatre, and in 1969 started an engagement at the Komische Oper in Berlin. He could be heard constantly as a guest at the Staatsoper of Berlin. In 1964 he was given the Händel Prize.

On the stage Hans-Martin Nau was characterised primarily in lyric and Buffo roles, whereby he presented himself also as a splendid actor, and sang for example, in 1988 at the Komischen Oper in Berlin Gremin in Eugen Onegin, in 1990 Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro. Appearances and concerts in the USSR, in Austria, Italy, Hungary and in the German music centres. He appeared very successfully in the concert hall, particularly as J.S. Bach and George Frideric Handel interpreter.

Recordings: on Eterna, including Matthäus-Passion (BWV 244) (reissued on Ariola-Eurodisc and Berlin Classics) and on Eurodisc (Minister in Fidelio).

Source: Operissimo Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (May 2004)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2004); Matthias Hansen (Photo 01 - January 2010)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Rudolf & Erhard Mauersberger

Bass

BWV 244

Links to other Sites