Karl Friedrich (singer)
Karl Friedrich (born January 15, 1905 in Vienna ; † April 8, 1981 in Vienna ) was an Austrian opera singer ( tenor ).
Life
Karl Friedrich was a trained carpenter. He was trained as a singer at the Vienna Music Academy . He had his first engagement in Karlsruhe in 1931. His path via Stralsund, Magdeburg and Düsseldorf finally led him to the Vienna State Opera .
The music critic Ernst Descey said about him on the occasion of the opera Carmen: "We have only heard the flower aria from Romance singers with the same passion and with such a flowery lip, rarely with such a beautiful messa di voce ."
"The slightly operetta-like coloring of his singing is reminiscent of Richard Tauber , [...] unfortunately he seemed a bit stiff and awkward as a stage actor."
From 1937 to 1950 Friedrich was a regular guest at the Salzburg Festival . He was one of the busiest singers in the Vienna opera ensemble, he sang the entire lyric-dramatic tenor subject.
He also sang many roles in Lehár operettas, partly on the stage and partly in radio broadcasts. Complete recordings by Giuditta and Paganini under the direction of Franz Lehár , as well as recordings as Florestan (Fidelio) under Clemens Krauss and Apollo (Daphne) under Karl Böhm have been preserved .
He received an honorary grave in the Vienna Central Cemetery (group 40, number 141).
Awards
- 1948: Awarded the professional title of chamber singer
- 1965: Cross of Honor for Science and Art, 1st class
- 1971: Silver medal for services to the State of Vienna
- 1973: Honorary member of the Vienna State Opera
Filmography
- 1944: Fledermaus with Johannes Heesters , vocal double for Hans Brausewetter
literature
- Elisabeth Th. Hilscher-Fritz: Friedrich, Karl. In: Oesterreichisches Musiklexikon . Online edition, Vienna 2002 ff., ISBN 3-7001-3077-5 ; Print edition: Volume 1, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna 2002, ISBN 3-7001-3043-0 .
- Clemens Höslinger : Karl Friedrich, documents of a singing career . Preiser Records 93441
Web links
- Media from and about Karl Friedrich in the catalog of the German National Library
- Karl Friedrich in the Vienna History Wiki of the City of Vienna
- Klaus Ulrich Spiegel: Der Schokoladentauber - Sound sense and phrasing: Karl Friedrich on ku-spiegel.de
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Friedrich, Karl |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Austrian opera singer (tenor) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 15, 1905 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Vienna |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 8, 1981 |
| Place of death | Vienna |