Gunther Treptow
Germany- Biography of Gunter Treptow
- Nazi Party and Performing Ban
- Operatic Roles and Career
- International Career
- Death
Biography of Gunter Treptow
Gunter Treptow was a German opera singer (tenor) who was born on October 22, 1907, in Berlin, Germany. He began his vocal training at the Berlin Musikhochschule and further honed his skills in Milan under the guidance of Giovanni Scarmeo.
Nazi Party and Performing Ban
Treptow was a member of the paramilitary organization 'Sturmabteilung' (SA, also known as 'brownshirts') and the Nazi Party (membership number 38,579) until it was discovered in 1934 that his mother was of Jewish descent. As a result, Treptow was forbidden to perform until he obtained a special permission from Josef Goebbels on June 6, 1935.
Operatic Roles and Career
Treptow made his debut in Berlin in 1936, portraying the Italian Singer in Richard Strauss' comic opera 'Der Rosenkavalier.' He performed at the Vienna Volksoper in 1938, taking on the role of Florestan in Ludwig van Beethoven's opera 'Fidelio.' In 1939, Treptow appeared at the Sopot Festival, where he played the lead role in 'Tannhäuser.'
He first shone at the Munich State Opera in 1940, the Vienna State Opera in 1947, and the Bayreuth Festival in 1951. Treptow quickly established himself as one of the leading heldentenors of his generation after his performances as Siegmund in 'Die Walküre,' Siegfried in 'Siegfried' and 'Götterdämmerung,' as well as Tristan in 'Tristan und Isolde.'
In addition, Gunter also sang roles such as Max in 'Der Freischütz,' Steva in 'Jenůfa,' Canio in 'Pagliacci,' and the title role in 'Otello.'
International Career
Treptow appeared as a guest artist in La Scala, Milan, La Monnaie in Brussels, the Royal Opera House in London, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He showcased his vocal talents in Leningrad and Moscow as well. He performed at the Berlin State Opera from 1961 until his retirement in 1972.
