Description

PETER ANDERS (ESSEN, 1 JULY, 1908 – HAMBURG, 10 SEPTEMBER, 1954)

Peter Anders, born Emil Anders, initially pursued a career as a book reviewer before training in voice with Ernst Grenzebach at the Berlin Music Academy. He further refined his skills under the tutelage of Lula Mysz-Gmeiner, whom he married after falling in love with her daughter, Susanne Mysz-Gmeiner. His early stage success came in 1931 with Max Reinhardt’s production of Jacques Offenbach’s La belle Hélène in Berlin, performing under the name Emil Anders. In 1934, he adopted the stage name Peter Anders.

His official operatic debut occurred in 1932 at the Stadttheater in Heidelberg, where he sang the role of Jacquino in Beethoven’s Fidelio. From 1933 to 1935, Anders performed at the State Theater in Darmstadt, followed by a year at the Opera House in Cologne (1935-1936). His career trajectory took him to the State Theater in Hanover (1937-1938), and then to the Munich State Opera from 1938 to 1940, where he notably participated in the world premiere of Richard Strauss’ Der Friedenstag on July 14, 1938.

In 1940, Anders was engaged by the Berlin State Opera, where he remained until 1948. During his tenure there, he took part in two significant world premieres: Fried Walter’s Andreas Wolfius in 1940 and Othmar Schoeck’s Schloß Dürande in 1943. He also gained international acclaim, particularly at the Salzburg Festival, where he sang Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in 1941 and performed the tenor solo in Verdi’s Requiem in 1942.

After World War II, Anders became one of Germany’s most celebrated tenors. In 1948, he joined the Hamburg Opera, where he expanded his repertoire to include heroic tenor roles. His debut in this genre was Radames in Verdi’s Aida. His success continued with notable performances as Otello in Verdi’s Otello (1950), Walther von Stolzing in Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and Siegmund in Die Walküre (1953).

Anders also performed internationally. In 1950, he sang Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos at both the Glyndebourne and Edinburgh Festivals. In 1952, he reprised the role of Walther von Stolzing at the Festival of Britain at Covent Garden, followed by guest performances in Amsterdam, The Hague, Brussels, and other European cities.

His radio broadcasts further solidified his popularity, particularly for his operetta performances. Tragically, on September 4, 1954, six days before his untimely death in a car accident, Peter Anders gave his final concert in Plettenberg, Westphalia. His legacy continued through his daughter, Sylvia Anders, who became known as both a singer and an actress.

TRACKLIST

1. Aida (Verdi) Holde Aida E2628 022990 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-03-31
2. Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Ich hab’ kein Geld A2092 21416 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-09-28
3. Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Loblied der Polin A2092 21415 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-09-28
4. Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Nur das eine bitt’ ich dich (w. Rautawaara) E2629 023091 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-04-30
5. Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Querschnitt, pt 1 (w. Spletter) E2120 021659-III Telefunken, Berlin 1936-11-20
6. Bettelstudent (Millöcker) Querschnitt, pt 2 (w. Spletter) E2120 021660-I Telefunken, Berlin 1936-11-20
7. Bohème (Puccini) Wie eiskalt ist dies Händchen E2628 022992 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-03-31
8. Carmen (Bizet) Ich seh’ die Mutter dort (w. Rautawaara) E2654 023089 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-04-29
9. Evangelimann (Kienzl) Selig sind, die Verfolgung leiden E2523 022993 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-03-31
10. Faust (Gounod) Cavatine E2523 022991 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-03-31
11. Freischütz (Weber) Durch die Wälder, durch die Auen, pt 1 E2287 022338 Telefunken, Berlin 1937-09-17
12. Freischütz (Weber) Durch die Wälder, durch die Auen, pt 2 E2287 022339 Telefunken, Berlin 1937-09-17
13. Freischütz (Weber) Querschnitt, pt 1 (w. Koegel, Spletter & Nissen) E1943 021217 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-04-08
14. Freischütz (Weber) Querschnitt, pt 2 (w. Koegel & Spletter) E1943 021218 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-04-08
15. Ich trage meine Minne (Strauss, R) A2782 23458 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-09-15
16. La Paloma (Yradier) A2093 21413 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-09-28
17. Lustigen Weiber von Windsor (Nicolai) Horch, die Lerche singt im Hain A2466 22485 Telefunken, Berlin 1937-11-15
18. Martha (Flotow) Querschnitt, pt 1 (w. Rautawaara) E2060 021280 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-06-20
19. Martha (Flotow) Querschnitt, pt 2 (w. Rautawaara) E2060 021281 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-06-20
20. O sole mio (di Capua) A2093 21414 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-09-28
21. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Querschnitt, pt 1 (w. Schmitt-Walter) E2034 021278 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-06-20
22. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Querschnitt, pt 2 (w. Spletter & Schmitt-Walter) E2034 021279 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-06-20
23. Rosenkavalier (Strauss) Di rigori armati A2321 22221 Telefunken, Berlin 1937-08-04
24. Sadko (Rimsky-Korsakoff) Hindulied A2321 22334 Telefunken, Berlin 1937-09-17
25. Tosca (Puccini) Mit deinen Augen (w. Rautawaara) E2654 023088 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-04-29
26. Traum durch die Dämmerung (Strauss, R) A2782 23457 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-09-15
27. Turandot (Puccini) Keiner schlafe A1510 19363 Telefunken, Berlin 1933-10-16
28. Turandot (Puccini) Oh, weine nicht Liu A1510 19362 Telefunken, Berlin 1933-10-16
29. Undine (Lortzing) Vater, Mutter, Schwestern, Brüder A2405 22364 Telefunken, Berlin 1937-09-26
30. Zar und Zimmermann (Lortzing) Lebe wohl, mein flandrisch Mädchen A2405 22365 Telefunken, Berlin 1937-09-26
31. Zauberflöte (Mozart) Querschnitt, pt 1 (w. Wulf & Nissen) E 22570 021655 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-11-19
32. Zauberflöte (Mozart) Querschnitt, pt 2 (w. Wulf & Nissen) E 22570 021656 Telefunken, Berlin 1936-11-19
33. Zigeunerbaron (Strauss) Wer uns getraut (w. Rautawaara) E2572 023090 Telefunken, Berlin 1938-04-30