Hans-Hermann Nissen (May 20, 1893 - March 28, 1980, Munich) was a German operatic bass-baritone, particularly associated with Wagner roles, one of the leading Wotan and Hans Sachs of the inter-war period. [1]
Hans-Hermann Nissen was born in Zippnow on May 20, 1893. [2] He began his professional life as a businessman. He began training as a vocalist in Berlin in 1916 with Julius Raatz-Brockmann. [1]
Nissen began his career as a concert bass-baritone in 1920; spending the next four years performing in oratorios and other works from the concert repertoire. [1] He made his professional opera debut in 1924 at the Volksoper Berlin; [2] portraying Kalif in Der Barbier von Bagdad . [1] He joined the Bavarian State Opera (BSO) in 1925, where he remained until 1967. [2] There he excelled in the operas of Richard Wagner. His Wagner repertoire including the roles of Wolfram von Eschenbach in Tannhäuser , [1] Friedrich of Telramund in Lohengrin , [1] Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg , [2] Kurwenal in Tristan und Isolde , [1] Wotan in Die Walküre , [2] and the title role in The Flying Dutchman . [1]
Nissen performed in the world premieres of several operas at the BSO; including Hugo Röhr's Coeur-Dame (1927), Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's Das Himmelskleid (1927), and Robert Heger's Bettler Namenlos (1932). [1] Other roles in his repertoire with the BSO included Amonasro in Aida , [2] Barak in Die Frau ohne Schatten , [2] Cardinal Carlo Borromeo in Palestrina , [2] Orestes in Elektra , [2] Renato in Un ballo in maschera , [2] and Valentine and Faust . [1]
Nissen also worked as a guest artist with other companies. At the Royal Opera House in London he performed Wotan (1928 and 1934) Hans Sachs (1928). [1] [2] In 1930 he sang Kurwenal for his debut at the Paris Opera, and that same year performed in concert at the Salzburg Festival. [1] He performed in several operas with the Chicago Civic Opera from 1932 through 1932. [2] He performed the part of Hans Sachs at the Salzburg Festival under Arturo Toscanini in 1936-1937, [2] and appeared in multiple role at La Scala from 1936-1938. [1] He appeared at the Metropolitan Opera in 1938-1939 as Wotan, Telramund, and Wolfram. He sang Hans Sachs at the Bayreuth Festival in 1943. [1] He also sang as a guest artist at La Monnaie, the Liceu, the Royal Swedish Opera, Vienna State Opera, and the Vlaamse Opera. [1]
Hans-Hermann Nissen died in Munich on March 28, 1980. [2]
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