Heinrich Rehkemper

Heinrich Rehkemper (* May 23, 1894 in Swords, † December 30, 1949 in Munich) was a German baritone.

Vita

Heinrich Rehkemper was initially an engineering technician. A Hagen Industrial promoted him so that he could study at the Conservatory Hagen and then continue his musical education in Dusseldorf and Munich. His first engagement was Rehkemper at the court theater in Coburg. With growing popularity, he got many offers and signed a contract with the Württemberg State Theatre in Stuttgart - then he went to the Munich State Opera. Rehkemper was one of the most well-known song performers of his time. The composer Richard Strauss, he was enthusiastic on a joint trip to Scandinavia. Later Rehkemper sang under Karl Böhm and Hans Knappertsbusch. A highlight of his career was the performance of the romantic Singspiel " The attractive flame " in 1933 in Berlin theaters of the West. It was Eduard Künneke, the composer of the piece, also on the podium - Rehkemper sang the " Hoffmann ". Rehkemper also played Amfortas in Parsifal and Wolfram in Tannhäuser. Since he had a "Jewish " wife, he played with a special permit.

Voice characteristics

Rehkempers baritone voice was characterized by great mobility, a very clear diction and a slightly appealing height. As a so -called " gentleman baritone " he was predestined for the games of the German comic opera.

End of career

A serious illness meant the end of the stage career of the great baritone. 1940-1945 Rehkemper worked as a singing teacher at the Salzburg Mozarteum in the training of young scientists. He died four years later in Munich from a heart condition and was buried at the Munich Forest Cemetery.

Discography

The label Preiser Records published in his series The living past a whole series of recordings with Henry Rehkemper.