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Franz BetzGerman opera singer, baritone
Date of Birth: 19.03.1835
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Biography of Franz Betz
Franz Betz was a German opera singer, specifically a baritone. He performed at the Berlin State Opera from 1859 to 1897. He was best known for his performances in Richard Wagner's operas and was the first person in the world to perform the role of Hans Sachs in "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg".
Franz Betz was born in Mainz and learned the secrets of vocal mastery in Karlsruhe. He made his debut on the stage of the Court Theater of Hanover in Wagner's opera "Lohengrin" in 1856. He then went on to play small roles in various German opera theaters. In 1859, Betz achieved great success when he played the role of Don Carlo in Verdi's "Ernani" at the Berlin State Opera, which led to a permanent contract with the theater.
Betz gained the respect of Richard Wagner himself, which resulted in him being cast as Hans Sachs in the premiere production of "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg". He continued to portray Sachs in subsequent performances and became strongly associated with the role. He also performed the roles of Wotan in "Das Rheingold" and "Die Walküre" and the Wanderer in "Siegfried" in the first complete performance of Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen" in 1876.
In May 1872, Franz Betz was one of the four soloists who performed Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the laying of the foundation stone ceremony of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. From 1882 to 1890, he served as the president of the German Union of Theater Workers.
Throughout his career, Franz Betz never performed in opera productions in the United States or the United Kingdom, but he did give concerts in London in 1882 and 1889. He retired from the stage in 1897 and was honored with the title of Kammersänger of the Berlin State Opera.
