Otto Wiener (Bass-Baritone)

Born: February 13, 1911 - Vienna, Austria
Died: August 5, 2000 - Vienna, Austria

The Austrian bass-baritone and Bavarian Kammersänger, Otto Wiener, joined the Vienna Boys Choir at the early age of six he. In spite of his father’s intention that he should become a veterinary surgeon he devoted himself entirely to musical studies, which he completed in Vienna. Singing, operatic drama, stagecraft, acting and dramatic speaking were his favourite subjects.

For three years Otto Wiener made many international concert appearances, and eventually entered the field of opera in 1953. He began his new career in Graz, from where he made a rapid ascent to all the important opera houses in the world. He was engaged for many years at the Vienna State Opera (1957-1976) and Munich State Opera (1960-1976). His first appearance at the Salzburg Festival was in 1955. He had sung his much-praised interpretation of Hans Sachs more than 250 times at Bayreuth, New York, London, Milan, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, etc. He was one of the singers who, for their artistic achievements, have been awarded the Nicolai Medal of the Vienna Philharmonic at a very early age.

Source: Liner notes to the album ‘Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier’, conducted by Georg Solti (Decca, 1969)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2001)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Karl Böhm

Bass

BWV 244

Ferdinand Grossmann

Bass

BWV 244, BWV 249

Herbert von Karajan

Bass

BWV 244

Gottfried Preinfalk

Bass

BWV 245

Hermann Scherchen

Bass

BWV 245

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