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Lebendige Vergangenheit - Herbert Janssen

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Lebendige Vergangenheit

HERBERT JANSSEN 22 September 1892, Cologne - 3 June 1965, New York. In a witty interview in 1930, Herbert Janssen maintained that as a painter and writer he was less talented than his uncles Victor Emil Janssen and Werner Hasenclever, res­ pectively. No one ever questioned his talent as a singer, but because it could be demon­ strated that he had been born in Cologne, the son of a coal merchant from Sweden, his references to illustrious artistic relatives was viewed with a certain amount of scepticism. He also liked to make much play with his age: in 1914, according to Janssen, he had volunteered for duty at the front at the age of 17. In fact, he was born in 1892. The rest of his career is more easily reconstructed. He was discharged from military service as an officer in 1918. Initially studying law in Berlin, he then took vocal instruction from Oscar Daniel and began his career in 1922 as the Count in Schreker's Schatzgräber in Berlin. While he sang primarily ltalian roles in the German capital, in 1925 he scored a breakthrough as Wolfram at the Waldoper in Zoppot (now Sopot, Poland). After that, he sang every summer at one of the great Wagner festivals: his roles in Zoppot until 1936 were Heerrufer, Gunther, Amfortas, Kothner, Telramund and Pizarro. He appeared in Bayreuth from 1930 to 1937 as Wolfram, Amfortas, Gunther, Kothner and Heerrufer. From·1926 to 1939 he was one of the most promi­ nent personalities of the annual opera season at London's Covent Garden. Despite a number of guest performances in Vienna, Barcelona and Paris, his career continued to focus on Berlin, London, Zoppot and Bayreuth until he left Germany in 1937. Up to that time Janssen was known for his brilliant high range more than for his abilities as a heroic baritone. During his 15 years in Berlin he sang both Italian and German roles. Internationally, his finest Wagnerian roles were considered to be Wolfram, Amfortas and Telramund. In moving to America, Janssen also began the transition to heavier roles: in 1938 he sang his first Wanderer in Siegfried in Buenos Aires, appearing in the same role a year later at the Metropolitan Opera. In 1943 he succeeded Friedrich Schorr at the Met as the first heroic baritone of the house. But it was difficult for him to handle the low tessitura of Wotan and Sachs, forcing him to use resources of power that strained his voice. By the end of the 1940s he was becoming more conspicuous for being indisposed or having to cancel appearances than he was for his formerly brilliant virtuosity. Around 1950 he abandoned the heavy heroic roles. From that time on he was once again successful in his showpiece roles of Telramund, Holländer and Amfortas. Janssen made his final appearance with the Metropolitan Opera as Kothner on 25 April 1952, during the company's spring tour in Boston. His final guest appearances in Europe as Amonasro, Jochanaan, Kurwenal and Orest were made at the Vienna Staatsoper in June 1950. He then lived as a teacher in New York, where he died on 3 June 1965. In America he is still considered one of the leading singing actors of a Wagner ensemble that remains immortal with such great names as Frida Leider, Lauritz Melchior and Friedrich Schorr. Despite a number of guest performances in Vienna, Barcelona and Paris, his career continued to focus on Berlin, London, Zoppot and Bayreuth until he left Germany in 1937. Up to that time Janssen was known for his brilliant high range more than for his abilities as a heroic baritone. During his 15 years in Berlin he sang both Italian and German roles. Internationally, his finest Wagnerian roles were considered to be Wolfram, Amfortas and Telramund. In moving to America, Janssen also began the transition to heavier roles: in 1938 he sang his first Wanderer in Siegfried in Buenos Aires, appearing in the same role a year later at the Metropolitan Opera. In 1943 he succeeded Friedrich Schorr at the Met as the first heroic baritone of the house. But it was difficult for him to handle the low tessitura of Wotan and Sachs, forcing him to use resources of power that strained his voice. By the end of the 1940s he was becoming more conspicuous for being indisposed or having to cancel appearances than he was for his formerly brilliant virtuosity. Around 1950 he abandoned the heavy heroic roles. From that time on he was once again successful in his showpiece roles of Telramund, Holländer and Amfortas. Janssen made his final appearance with the Metropolitan Opera as Kothner on 25 April 1952, during the company's spring tour in Boston. His final guest appearances in Europe as Amonasro, Jochanaan, Kurwenal and Orest were made at the Vienna Staatsoper in June 1950. He then lived as a teacher in New York, where he died on 3 June 1965. In America he is still considered one of the leading singing actors of a Wagner ensemble that remains immortal with such great names as Frida Leider, Lauritz Melchior and Friedrich Schorr.