Fischer-Dieskau, Dietrich

Fischer-Dieskau, Dietrich (dē`trĭkh fĭsh`ər-dēs`kou), 1925–, German baritone. Possessed of a sensitive voice capable of a wide variety of range and expression, Fischer-Dieskau is one of the foremost singers of German lieder, being particularly noted for his interpretations of the songs and song cycles of Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, and Wolf, and has performed in German and Italian opera. He made his concert debut in Freiburg in 1947, performing in Brahms's German Requiem, and his operatic debut at the State Opera in Berlin in 1948, singing Rodrigo in Verdi's Don Carlo. He gave his farewell concert in 1992. Fischer-Dieskau has also been active as a conductor and he is a longtime teacher. In addition, he has written a number of books on music and is a widely exhibited painter.

Bibliography

See his memoirs, Reverberations (tr. 1989); biography by H. A. Neunzig (1995, tr. 1998); study by K. S. Whitton (1981).

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Fischer-Dieskau, Dietrich

(born May 28, 1925, Berlin, Ger.) German baritone and conductor. He had his first extensive performance experience as a prisoner of war in Italy, and he made his professional debut in 1947. One of the most remarkable singers of his time, he was equally successful in the often mutually exclusive realms of opera and lied. His lyrical voice was supported by his commanding presence, intelligent musicianship, and superb artistry. He recorded most of the standard art-song repertoire, as well as numerous unusual and contemporary works; his many premieres included Benjamin Britten's War Requiem (1962).