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. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Abschied von der Mutter E3228 026280-I Telefunken, Berlin 1942-01-07
2. Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) Trinklied E3338 026813 Telefunken, Berlin 1943-02-02
3. Elisir d’amore (Donizetti) Romanze E3228 026279 Telefunken, Berlin 1942-01-07
4. Fliegende Holländer (Wagner) Steuermannslied E3056 024713 Telefunken, Berlin 1939-12
5. Fliegende Holländer (Wagner) Willst jenes Tages… E3056 024294-I Telefunken, Berlin 1939-05-14
6. Lustige Witwe (Lehár) Komm in… (w. Rautawaara) E3706 026393 Telefunken, Berlin 1942-05-05
7. Prodana Nevesta (Smetana) Komm, mein Söhnchen, pt 1 (w. Schirp) E3114 025194 Telefunken, Berlin 1940-09-19
8. Prodana Nevesta (Smetana) Komm, mein Söhnchen, pt 2 (w. Schirp) E3114  025195 Telefunken, Berlin 1940-09-19
9. Trovatore (Verdi) Stretta E3338 026814 Telefunken, Berlin 1943-02-02
10. Und der Himmel hängt voller Geigen, Querschnitt durch die schönsten Leo-Fall-Operetten, pt 1 (Fall) (w. Rothenberger, Kellner, Hofmann, Schneider & Thoms)
11. Und der Himmel hängt voller Geigen, Querschnitt durch die schönsten Leo-Fall-Operetten, pt 2 (Fall) (w. Rothenberger, Kellner, Hofmann,
12. Vogelhändler (Zeller) Querschnitt, pt 1 (w. Schlemm, Rothenberger, Hofmann & Himmelmann) 58622 05252LSN PolydorDGG, Berlin 1953
13. Vogelhändler (Zeller) Querschnitt, pt 2 (w. Schlemm, Rothenberger, Hofmann & Himmelmann) 58622 05253LSN PolydorDGG, Berlin 1953