Hans-Hermann Nissen (May 20, 1893 - March 28, 1980, Munich) was a German operatic bass-baritone, particularly associated with Wagner roles, one of the leading Wotan and Hans Sachs of the inter-war period.[1]
Life and career
editHans-Hermann Nissen was born in Zippnow on May 20, 1893.[2] He began his professional life as a businessman. He began training as a vocalist in Berlin in 1916 with Julius Raatz-Brockmann.[1]
Nissen began his career as a concert bass-baritone in 1920; spending the next four years performing in oratorios and other works from the concert repertoire.[1] He made his professional opera debut in 1924 at the Volksoper Berlin;[2] portraying Kalif in Der Barbier von Bagdad.[1] He joined the Bavarian State Opera (BSO) in 1925, where he remained until 1967.[2] There he excelled in the operas of Richard Wagner. His Wagner repertoire including the roles of Wolfram von Eschenbach in Tannhäuser,[1] Friedrich of Telramund in Lohengrin,[1] Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,[2] Kurwenal in Tristan und Isolde,[1] Wotan in Die Walküre,[2] and the title role in The Flying Dutchman.[1]
Nissen performed in the world premieres of several operas at the BSO; including Hugo Röhr's Coeur-Dame (1927), Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's Das Himmelskleid (1927), and Robert Heger's Bettler Namenlos (1932).[1] Other roles in his repertoire with the BSO included Amonasro in Aida,[2] Barak in Die Frau ohne Schatten,[2] Cardinal Carlo Borromeo in Palestrina,[2] Orestes in Elektra,[2] Renato in Un ballo in maschera,[2] and Valentine and Faust.[1]
Nissen also worked as a guest artist with other companies. At the Royal Opera House in London he performed Wotan (1928 and 1934) Hans Sachs (1928).[1][2] In 1930 he sang Kurwenal for his debut at the Paris Opera, and that same year performed in concert at the Salzburg Festival.[1] He performed in several operas with the Chicago Civic Opera from 1932 through 1932.[2] He performed the part of Hans Sachs at the Salzburg Festival under Arturo Toscanini in 1936-1937,[2] and appeared in multiple role at La Scala from 1936-1938.[1] He appeared at the Metropolitan Opera in 1938-1939 as Wotan, Telramund, and Wolfram. He sang Hans Sachs at the Bayreuth Festival in 1943.[1] He also sang as a guest artist at La Monnaie, the Liceu, the Royal Swedish Opera, Vienna State Opera, and the Vlaamse Opera.[1]
Hans-Hermann Nissen died in Munich on March 28, 1980.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Kutsch, K. J.; Riemens, Leo (2003). "Nissen, Hans-Hermann". In Rost, Hansjörg (ed.). Grosses Sängerlexikon. K. G. Saur Verlag.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Harold Rosenthal; Alan Blyth (2009). "Nissen, Hans Hermann". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.19985.