Peter Anders

Peter Anders (July 1, 1908 – September 10, 1954) was a German operatic tenor who sang a wide range of parts in the German, Italian, and French repertories. He began by singing lyric roles and later undertook dramatic roles with equal success.

Anders was born in Essen and studied at the Berlin Music Academy with Ernst Grenzebach, and later privately with Lula Mysz-Gmeiner, whose daughter Susanne he married. In 1931, he appeared in Berlin in La belle Hélène, and made his operatic debut the following year in Heidelberg, as Jacquino in Fidelio.

He sang in Darmstadt (1933-35), Cologne (1935-36), Hannover (1937-38), and then at the Munich State Opera (1938-40), where he took part in the creation of Richard Strauss's Friedenstag. He returned next to Berlin and sang at the Berlin State Opera from 1940 until 1948. His repertory at that time included lyric roles such as Belmonte, Tamino, Lyonel, Hans, Hoffmann, Leukippos, Alfredo and Rodolfo.

Beginning in 1949, Anders undertook such heavier roles as Florestan, Max, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Walther, Siegmund, Radames, Otello, with equal success.

He made a few guest appearances at the Royal Opera House in London, the La Monnaie in Brussels and the San Carlo in Naples, as well as appearing at the Glyndebourne Festival.

Anders sang not only an impressive range of operatic roles but also appeared in several operetta parts. He performed regularly on German radio and in concert and was also active in oratorio and lieder recitals.

He became a favorite of Adolf Hitler's regime and was not required to serve in the armed forces during the Second World War - instead entertaining German troops and participating in propaganda events. These activities tainted his reputation in the post-war world.

While at the height of his career, Anders died in a car accident in Hamburg. He was only 46 years old and his death represented a severe loss to the world of opera.

Anders possessed an outstanding voice which he employed with fine musicianship and an attractive timbre. He made many recordings which, deservedly, have been reissued on CD.