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Karl Friedrich (15 January 1905 – 8 April 1981) was an Austrian operatic tenor. A member of the Vienna State Opera from 1938 to 1970, he is regarded as one of the leading tenors at the house during World War II and afterwards.[1]

Life

Born in Vienna,[1] Friedrich began as an apprentice metalworker. He studied voice at the Vienna Academy.[2] He had his first engagement in 1931 in Karlsruhe, the following year in Ulm, the next year in Stralsund, from 1934 in Magdeburg, and from 1936 in Düsseldorf.[2] In 1937, he was invited to appear as Don José in Bizet's Carmen at the Vienna State Opera. A reviewer noted: "We have heard the flower aria only from Romanesque singers with the same passion and with such flowery lips, rarely with such beautiful messa di voce".[3] He then performed at the Salzburg Festival as Adolar in Weber's Euryanthe, conducted by Bruno Walter.[3] Friedrich became a member of the Vienna State Opera on 1 September 1938 and remained at the house until 1970.[1][2] He sang the entire lyrical-dramatic tenor repertoire.[4]

Friedrich was a regular guest at the Salzburg Festival.[2] He also performed many parts in Franz Lehár's operettas, both on stage and on radio. He recorded the complete operettas Giuditta and Paganini, and appeared as Florestan in a recording of Beethoven's Fidelio, conducted by Clemens Krauss.[2]

Friedrich was awarded the title Kammersänger in 1948.[1] He became an honorary member of the Vienna State Opera in 1973.[1]

Friedrich died in Vienna at age 76. He was buried in an honorary grave in the Vienna Central Cemetery.[1]

References

External links

• Literature by and about Karl Friedrich in the German National Library catalogue
• Karl Friedrich on Vienna History Wiki
• Dokumente einer Sängerkarriere - Karl Friedrich on YouTube

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