Erich Zimmermann
29 November 1892 Meißen – 24 February 1968 Berlin
In RA format
He was first a painter at the famous Meißen porcelain manufacture. Then he studied voice in Dresden,
where he also made his debut in 1918. Via Dortmund, Braunschweig and Leipzig, he came to the Munich Staatsoper (1925–31)
and the Vienna Staatsoper (1931–34). After one season in Hamburg, he was at the Berlin Staatsoper from 1935 to 1944.
After WWII at the Städtische Oper Berlin until retiring in 1955.
He was exclusively a comprimario tenor, estimated for both his singing and acting, above all as Mime and David; in those two roles
(and a few others), he was regularly in Bayreuth from 1925 to 1944. Further guest appearances: Paris Opéra (1934–55),
Covent Garden (1934–50), Brussels, Amsterdam, Salzburg Festival (1930–38: Don Basilio, Monostatos, David), Zürich,
Monte Carlo.
Reference: Kutsch & Riemens
I wish to thank Daniele Godor for the picture (right).
|
