Peter Schreier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Schreier
|
|
|---|---|
Peter Schreier at the opening of the Palast der Republik in Berlin in 1976
|
|
| Born | 29 July 1935 Meissen, Germany
|
| Died | 25 December 2019 (aged 84) Dresden, Germany
|
| Education |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Organization |
|
| Title | Kammersänger |
| Awards |
|
Peter Schreier (born July 29, 1935 – died December 25, 2019) was a famous German singer and conductor. He was known as a tenor, which is a high male singing voice. Peter Schreier was one of the best lyric tenors of his time. This means he sang with a clear, light, and beautiful voice.
He was part of the Dresdner Kreuzchor, a famous boys' choir. Later, he became a tenor and sang in many concerts. He was especially famous for singing the "Evangelist" parts in Bach's Christmas Oratorio and other big musical works.
Peter Schreier was a member of the Berlin State Opera from 1963. He performed in many famous operas. He was one of the few singers from East Germany who could perform all over the world. He made many recordings, especially of Bach's music. He also conducted orchestras.
Contents
Peter Schreier's Early Life
Peter Schreier was born in Meissen, Germany. He grew up in a small village nearby. His father was a teacher, a church musician, and an organ player.
In 1945, when Peter was almost ten, he joined the Dresdner Kreuzchor. This was a special boys' choir. The choir's leader, Rudolf Mauersberger, quickly saw Peter's amazing talent. He let Peter sing many solo parts. Peter even made recordings as a child singer.
When Peter was 16, his voice changed. He became a tenor, just as he had hoped. He loved the tenor parts in Bach's Christmas Oratorio and other works. After deciding to become a professional singer, he took singing lessons. He also studied how to be a conductor.
A Star on Stage: Peter's Career
Peter Schreier started his professional singing career in 1957. His first big role was in Beethoven's Fidelio. He became very famous in 1962 for his role as Belmonte in Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail. He also sang Tamino in The Magic Flute.
In 1963, he joined the Berlin State Opera. From 1966, he often performed at the Vienna State Opera. He also sang at the Bayreuth Festival and the Salzburg Festival. Peter Schreier performed in over 60 different opera roles! He even sang the main role in Palestrina in both Munich and East Berlin. This was a big deal at the time.
Peter Schreier was one of the few singers from East Germany who could travel and perform internationally. He sang at the famous Metropolitan Opera in New York. He performed many times at the Vienna State Opera. His roles there included Tamino, Belmonte, and Don Ottavio in Mozart's Don Giovanni. He also sang in operas by Richard Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, and Wagner.
Singing and Conducting Bach
Peter Schreier was very famous for his performances of Bach's music. He often sang the "Evangelist" role in Bach's St Matthew Passion and St John Passion. He recorded these works with many famous conductors. He also recorded Bach's Christmas Oratorio.
From the early 1970s, Peter Schreier also became a conductor. He especially loved conducting the music of Mozart, Bach, and Haydn. He led famous orchestras like the Vienna Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic. Sometimes, he would even sing and conduct at the same time!
In June 2000, Peter Schreier stopped performing in operas. His last opera role was Tamino. He said he was too old to play a young prince anymore. He stopped singing completely on December 22, 2005. His very last performance was conducting and singing the Evangelist part in Bach's Christmas Oratorio in Prague. He continued to sing lied (German art songs) throughout his career. He recorded many song cycles by Schubert and Schumann.
Peter Schreier's Personal Life
Peter Schreier was married to Renate. They lived in Dresden, Germany, from 1945 until he passed away. He died in Dresden on Christmas Day, December 25, 2019, after a long illness. He was survived by his wife and their two sons, Torsten and Ralf. His funeral service was held at the Kreuzkirche, Dresden.
His Legacy and Impact
Peter Schreier was known as a very smart singer. He understood the words of the songs deeply and expressed them with great feeling. After he died, Monika Grütters, a German government official, said he was one of the most amazing voices from Germany. She said he showed the world that Germany was a nation of culture. He is remembered for his incredible performances, especially as the Evangelist in Bach's Passions. He made music history over four decades.
Awards and Recognition
Peter Schreier received many honors and awards for his amazing musical talent:
- Kammersänger (a special title for outstanding singers) from Germany, Austria, and Bavaria in 1963, 1980, and 1982.
- National First Class Prize of the GDR, 1967.
- Robert Schumann Prize of the City of Zwickau, 1969.
- Handel Prize of the City of Halle, 1972.
- National Prize of the GDR, 1972.
- Gold Vaterländischer Verdienstorden, 1984.
- Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, 1988.
- Léonie Sonning Music Prize, Denmark, 1988.
- Honorary member of the Musikverein Wien (Vienna Society of Music), 1986.
- Star of People's Friendship, 1989.
- Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, 1989.
- Bundesverdienstkreuz I. Klasse (Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany), 1993.
- Member of the Academy of Arts, Berlin, 1993.
- Wiener Flötenuhr, 1994.
- Georg Philipp Telemann Prize of the city of Magdeburg, 1994.
- German Bible Prize, 1998.
- European Church Music Prize, 2000.
- Honorary citizen of Meissen.
- Royal Academy of Music/Kohn Foundation Bach Prize, 2009.
- Hugo Wolf Medal, 2011.
- International Mendelssohn Prize, 2011.
- Bach Medal, 2013.
- Sächsischer Verdienstorden, 2016.
- Kunstpreis der Landeshauptstadt Dresden, 2016.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Schreier para niños
