Rainer Simons

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Rainer Simons in 1903

Carl Rainer Simons (born August 16, 1869 in Cologne , † August 17, 1934 in Tegernsee ) was a German opera singer (baritone), opera director , theater director and singing teacher.

Life

Rainer Simons was born in Cologne in 1869 to Jewish parents. Simons came from a family of artists, his mother was an actress , his father a theater director in Düsseldorf . Simonis received singing lessons from Julius Stockhausen and was instructed in conducting by Engelbert Humperdinck . Simons first worked as a director in Düsseldorf at the age of 18, after which he earned his living as a singer and director in Königsberg . After being appointed theater director in Mainz in 1896 , Simons rented the Vienna Volksoper in 1903 . Simons founded a people's opera association with which he wanted to organize high quality performances at low prices. For the 1903/1904 season, Simonis hired a total of 27 actors, with whom he built up a drama repertoire. In September 1904, the opera ensemble and the new music director Alexander von Zemlinsky followed . Directed by Simons, in collaboration with the set designer Heinrich Lefler, trend-setting productions were created, which were particularly convincing with regard to their color and light dramaturgy, but always tried to be as faithful to the work as possible. Overall, Simons remained director of the Volksoper until 1917. He then resigned and became professor for performing arts at the Vienna Music Academy. At times he was also director of the Raimund Theater .

In 1962, the Simonsgasse in Vienna- Donaustadt (22nd district) was named after him.

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personal data
SURNAME Simons, Rainer
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Simons, Carl Rainer (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German opera singer (baritone), opera director, theater director and singing teacher
DATE OF BIRTH August 16, 1869
PLACE OF BIRTH Cologne
DATE OF DEATH 17th August 1934
Place of death Tegernsee