Bruce Abel American bass Country: USA

Biography of Bruce Abel

Bruce Abel is an American bass who developed a passion for opera and classical music from his mother, who was a singer herself. He started his musical education at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied under the guidance of Hans Heinz. He excelled in French songs and German romances.

In 1962, Abel won a Fulbright scholarship, which allowed him to continue his studies in Stuttgart, Germany. There, he perfected his repertoire of German songs and oratorios under the tutelage of Hermann Reutter, Lore Fischer, and Elinor Junker-Giesen. Abel participated in several international competitions and achieved significant victories, including first prizes in the Enrico Caruso Competition in New York and the Geneva International Competition. He also won second prize in the Mozart Wettbewerb in Vienna and received accolades for his performance of romances in the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 1964. Furthermore, he secured first prize at the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Leipzig in the same year.

Abel garnered international acclaim in the late 1960s and early 1970s with numerous concerts in North America and Europe, as well as prolific recording sessions. He performed as a soloist in the world premiere of Fritz Werner's "Whitsun Oratorio" in Heilbronn, Germany, in 1971 and made multiple appearances at the Baldwin-Wallace College Bach Festival. In 1974, Abel joined the vocal faculty of the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart. He is also a respected member of the international professional music fraternity, Delta Omicron.

Bruce Abel is married to renowned pianist Waltraud Poser, who often accompanies him in his concerts. His discography includes recordings of Bach cantatas conducted by Fritz Werner, Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" conducted by Hans Grischkat, Dieterich Buxtehude cantatas conducted by Günther Graulich, Schubert's Mass No. 6 conducted by Martin Behrmann, as well as works by Franz Liszt conducted by Hans Zanotelli. Abel has also recorded songs by Schumann and Robert Franz.