Death: Bariton Franz Grundheber died at the age of 88

The Hamburg chamber singer Franz Grundheber is dead. The Trier -born died on Saturday at the age of 88 in Hamburg, as his management announced with reference to the family. Grundheber has shaped the repertoire of the Hamburg State Opera for decades since 1966 and delighted in operas by Verdi, Wagner, Strauss and Berg.

He became known internationally with his urgent representation of the “Wozzeck” in Patrice Chéreaus. Grundheber made guest appearances on the world’s large opera houses in Vienna, Paris, London and New York and worked with conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim and Giuseppe Sinopoli.

Baritone of exceptional radiance

“With Franz Grundheber, the opera world loses a baritone of exceptional radiance – a” fiston singer “, whose name and work remain closely connected to the Hamburg State Opera and whose artistic legacy seems far beyond Hamburg,” said the State Opera. Basic lords associated vocal excellence with a gripping acting presence. He designed his paradise – often the torn, oppressed or tortured internally – with the deepest authenticity that touched the audience and criticism alike.

Born in Trier in 1937, Grundheber first studied in Mainz and Hamburg before he came to the Hamburg State Opera after stations in the USA. He was awarded many times for his services to the opera, including the title “Chamber singer”.

Grundheber stood on stage until old age and always designed his roles character and authentic. In February 2012 he sang his 2000th performance at the Hamburg State Opera, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of the stage, he was devoted to an idea of ​​”Hansel and Gretel” at the end of 2016.