Karl Erb German singer, tenor Date of Birth: 13.07.1877 Country: Germany

1. Biography of Karl Erb
2. Karl Erb passed away in 1958 in Ravensburg.

Biography of Karl Erb

Karl Erb was a German singer and tenor. Born in 1877 in Ravensburg, Germany, he showed an early interest in music and poetry. His voice developed into a deep and beautiful tenor, and he began performing in amateur theater productions in Konzerthaus in Ravensburg. In 1902, Erb caught the attention of Baron Gustav von Putlitz, who offered him a chance to perform on a larger stage. Although he did not perform at that time, it was just the beginning of his career.

In 1906, Erb began working as an apprentice at the theater in Stuttgart, and soon after, he signed his first professional 5-year contract. On June 14, 1907, he made his debut in the opera "Evangelimann" at the Hoftheater. He went on to perform in leading roles in operas such as "Lohengrin," "Meistersinger," and "Faust." In 1908, Erb became known as the leading lyric tenor at the Theatre at Lübeck. During his time there, he performed in a wide range of operas, including "Il trovatore," "Rigoletto," and "Cavalleria rusticana."

After his first season in Lübeck, Erb returned to Stuttgart to showcase his talent. He then performed in Tübingen, Ulm, Berlin, and Wiesbaden as a guest artist. In 1912, he sang in six performances a month in Stuttgart and appeared in the premiere of Richard Strauss' "Ariadne auf Naxos" in Stuttgart. Erb continued to expand his repertoire and became known for his performances of Mozart's operas, including "Don Giovanni," "The Magic Flute," and "Così fan tutte."

In 1921, Karl Erb married Maria Ivogün, a soprano singer from Hungary. Despite his success, this period marked a difficult time for Erb. He left Munich, a city he had grown fond of, and faced the rise of fascism in Europe. He also suffered a broken leg after falling down the steps of a hotel. In 1927, he nearly drowned, and his recovery was long and painful.

In 1931, Erb divorced his wife. This divorce and the subsequent news of Maria's marriage to his former accompanist, with whom he still planned to work, were significant blows to Erb. However, he continued to perform and toured many European cities, including Zürich, Berne, Basel, Lausanne, Milan, and Brussels.

Over time, Erb's reputation as an opera singer grew, and he was recognized as one of the best European tenors. From 1935 to 1940, he made a series of outstanding recordings for HMV, performing vocal works by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Wolf. His final public performance took place in 1947, on the 90th birthday of his mother.

Karl Erb passed away in 1958 in Ravensburg.