Alexander Kipnis

Alexander Kipnis (. * 1 Februarjul / February 13 1891greg in Zhytomyr, according to other data Berdichev, then Russian Empire, now Ukraine, . † May 14, 1978 in Westport, Connecticut, United States) was a Ukrainian, from 1931 U.S. American opera singer ( bass).

Career

Kipnis studied in Warsaw and Berlin. 1915-1918 he sang in Wiesbaden, where he made his debut as a hermit in Freischütz, 1919-1930 at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, 1932-1935 at the Berlin State Opera, 1940-1952 at the Metropolitan Opera. Since 1924, he already gave to the world's greatest operas, and at major festivals guest performances, both in reputable ( Sarastro, Boris Godunov, King Marke, Golaud ) and in buffo roles (Leporello). Until 1933 he also sang regularly at Bayreuth; after the "seizure of power " belonged Kipnis of the Vienna State Opera, after the "Anschluss " of Austria, he was forced to emigrate in 1940 and then gave his debut at the Metropolitan Opera, where he worked until 1946. After his resignation as a singer (1947 ), he taught in New York singing. Kipnis is also an excellent song interpreter, especially of works of the late Romantic ( Johannes Brahms, Hugo Wolf).

Assessment

Alexander Kipnis was undoubtedly a superstar among the basses of his time. His powerful yet finely nuancierende voice and his talent for foreign languages ​​allowed him the care of a huge repertoire. " Kipnis had one of the most beautiful and expressive bass voices that can be heard on plates at all. Their size ranged from low D to ( baritone ) Fis. "

Clips

• The Magic Flute - Toscanini - Salzburg 1937 - Act 1
• The Magic Flute - Toscanini - Salzburg 1937 - Act 2

Alexander Kipnis - Sarastro, Julia Osváth - Queen of the Night, Jarmila Novotná - Pamina, Helge Rosvaenge - Tamino, Willi Domgraf - Fassbaender - Papageno, Dora Komarek - Papagena, Alfred Jerger - Speaker, William Wernigk - Monostatos (live July 30, 1937 Salzburg Festival )

• Alexander Kipnis sings Schubert 's Der Lindenbaum in YouTube