Opera Singer and Actor. Born in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1901, Lorenz first studied with conductor Karl Kittel at Bayreuth, Germany. He was initially given small parts such as Froh in "Das Rheingold" and Walther in "Tannhauser." In 1927, he was picked up by the Dresden State Opera, where he stayed until 1931, when the call came from the Berlin State Opera and his career blossomed. By the 1940's Lorenz was recognized as one of the great Wagnerian tenors in the world, at the time arguably second only to Lauritz Melchior. He also sung the parts of Herodes in "Salome and Agisth in "Elektra." Lorenz's career took him from the Paris Opera, to the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Covent Garden and most of the other great opera houses throughout Europe, North and South America. Interestingly, his wife Lotte (Charlotte Appel, also an opera singer) was Jewish and he was able to protect her throughout World War II from Nazi persecution. Lorenz was also a major recording talent and made a significant amount of records during his career. As a teacher later in life, he taught the American tenor James King, among others.
Opera Singer and Actor. Born in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1901, Lorenz first studied with conductor Karl Kittel at Bayreuth, Germany. He was initially given small parts such as Froh in "Das Rheingold" and Walther in "Tannhauser." In 1927, he was picked up by the Dresden State Opera, where he stayed until 1931, when the call came from the Berlin State Opera and his career blossomed. By the 1940's Lorenz was recognized as one of the great Wagnerian tenors in the world, at the time arguably second only to Lauritz Melchior. He also sung the parts of Herodes in "Salome and Agisth in "Elektra." Lorenz's career took him from the Paris Opera, to the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Covent Garden and most of the other great opera houses throughout Europe, North and South America. Interestingly, his wife Lotte (Charlotte Appel, also an opera singer) was Jewish and he was able to protect her throughout World War II from Nazi persecution. Lorenz was also a major recording talent and made a significant amount of records during his career. As a teacher later in life, he taught the American tenor James King, among others.
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