Hermann Prey

German baritone. Born in Berlin. Singing as a choir member from an early age, he studied vocal music at the Berlin Higher Music School and other institutions, and made his opera debut in 1952. The following year, he was invited to the Hamburg State Opera, where he built the foundations of his repertoire and also worked on German songs. In 1957, he made his debut in Vienna, singing Figaro in "The Barber of Seville." This success led to his active career at major opera houses around the world. He has performed many famous songs and performances in Mozart's operas, and his Wolfram in Wagner's "Tannhäuser" is also highly praised. With his youthful expression, slightly sweet voice, and singing and acting skills that combine skill and frankness, he became one of the most popular baritones in Japan after the Second World War, along with Fischer-Dieskau. Since 1986, he has visited Japan many times, captivating audiences with concerts and operas. In her later years, she was passionate about Schubert's songs, and even organized the music festival "Schubertiade." In 1997, the 200th anniversary of Schubert's birth, she held six consecutive recitals at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. In the same year, she attempted to sing "Winterreise" with an orchestra, performing in Germany and Japan and releasing a CD.

[Yoshio Miyama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ドイツのバリトン歌手。ベルリン生まれ。幼少時より合唱団員として歌い、ベルリン高等音楽学校などでも声楽を専攻、1952年にオペラにデビュー。翌53年ハンブルク国立歌劇場に招かれ、レパートリーの基礎をつくるとともに、ドイツ歌曲にも取り組んだ。57年『セビーリャの理髪師』のフィガロを歌いウィーンに初登場。この成功を機に世界各地の主要歌劇場で活躍するようになる。モーツァルトのオペラで多くの名唱、名演を重ねたほか、ワーグナー『タンホイザー』のウォルフラムも高く評価される。若々しい表情とほのかな甘みをもった声質、巧みさと率直さを兼ね備えた歌唱、演技力をもち、第二次世界大戦後のフィッシャー・ディースカウとともに日本で人気の高い代表的バリトンの一人として活躍。61年（昭和36）以来、たびたび来日し、コンサートやオペラで魅了した。晩年は音楽祭「シューベルティアーデ」を主宰するなど、シューベルトの歌曲に情熱を傾けた。その生誕200年にあたる97年、東京・サントリーホールで6回にわたる連続リサイタルを開いた。また同年、『冬の旅』をオーケストラ伴奏で歌う試みに挑み、ドイツと日本で公演、CDも出した。

［美山良夫］

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