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Aksel SchiotzDanish opera tenor
Country:
 Denmark |
Content:
Biography of Aksel Schiotz
Aksel Schiotz was a Danish opera tenor born in 1906 in the city of Roskilde, Denmark. He spent his childhood in Hellerup, near Copenhagen. He received his musical education from John Forsell. In 1930, Schiotz completed his degree and began teaching English and Danish languages in schools in Roskilde and Copenhagen. He worked as a teacher until 1938 when he decided to dedicate his life to music, his true passion.
Early Career
Schiotz's first solo concert took place in 1936, and by 1939, he was performing on the stage of the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen. His debut performance was in Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte". Despite facing challenges, including a stroke and inflammation of the auditory nerve in 1945, which partially paralyzed the right side of his face, Schiotz did not give up his career. With the support of his loved ones and friends, he continued to perform. Notably, after his illness, he began singing as a baritone. Music lovers remember Schiotz's performance at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1946, and during the German occupation in World War II, he recorded a large number of folk songs known as Lieder. He performed various works by Schubert and Schumann, but he is most remembered today for his interpretation of Danish Lieder, rather than his opera roles.
Later Career and Teaching
From 1955 to 1958, Schiotz held the position of music professor at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He later taught in Toronto and, finally, at the University of Colorado in Boulder. In 1968, he became a professor in Copenhagen. Schiotz was renowned for his vocal pedagogy skills and conducted numerous masterclasses in the United States.
Legacy and Death
Aksel Schiotz passed away in 1975 in Copenhagen. After retiring, he published his book "The Singer and His Art" in 1971. His voice can still be heard today through his extensive recordings, with his interpretations of Bach and Handel being particularly popular. His recording of Schubert's "Die schöne Müllerin" is considered exemplary.
