Johann Christian Franz
Johann Christian Franz (born June 19, 1762 in Havelberg ; † February 28, 1812 in Berlin ) was a German opera singer ( bass ) and actor.
Life
At the request of his family, Franz began to study theology, but soon dropped out. From 1782 he played in the private band of the Prussian Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, who later became King Friedrich Wilhelm II. He also took singing lessons from Giovanni Carlo Concialini . Initially he specialized in church music. The Prussian Minister Friedrich Albert von Schwerin is said to have acted as a patron and Franz financed training as an actor and singer.
He is said to have worked as curator in the Royal Library for several years.
After Friedrich Wilhelm II took office, he is said to have found a job at the Court Opera in 1786. 1791 made her debut in the opera Axur, re d'Ormus by Antonio Salieri at the Berlin Royal National Theater. There he played a variety of roles throughout his career.
He sang the role of Hidraot, King of Damas more than 50 times with great success in Christoph Willibald Gluck's opera Armide . (Premiere on May 30, 1805). In Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride he sang the role of Thoas, King of Tauris more than 40 times. As a singer, Franz repeatedly interpreted oratorios and passion works ; u. a. also by Carl Heinrich Graun . Occasionally he then appeared in a small circle at court together with Princess Friederike.
His daughter Wilhelmine Unzelmann-Werner was also an actress.
Roles (selection)
- Publio - La clemenza di Tito ( Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart )
- Axur - Axur, re d'Ormus ( Antonio Salieri )
- Stoessel - Doctor and Pharmacist ( Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf )
- High Priest - The Interrupted Festival of Sacrifice ( Peter von Winter )
- Prospero - The Ghost Island ( Johann Friedrich Reichardt )
- Thoas - Iphigénie en Tauride ( Christoph Willibald Gluck )
- Hidraot - Armide (Christoph Willibald Gluck)
Works (selection)
In addition to some song compositions and church music, Christ also created an operetta.
- Nobility and love. Operetta.
literature
- Moritz Fürstenau : Franz, Johann Christian . In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Volume 7, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1877, p. 316 f.
Web links
- History of the opera and the Royal Opera House in Berlin. Retrieved October 23, 2009 . , Footnote to page 246
Individual evidence
- ↑ Databases Berliner Klassik, Nationaltheater
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Franz, Johann Christian |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German opera singer (bass) and actor |
| DATE OF BIRTH | June 19, 1762 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Havelberg |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 28, 1812 |
| Place of death | Berlin |