Fritz Wunderlich

Fritz Wunderlich left a lasting impression on the world of German classical music which belies the fact that he died when he was only 35 years old, arguably prior to the peak of his talent. As a young man Wunderlich had been heard singing whilst working in his father's bakery and local music lovers had encouraged him to pursue his talent. He won a scholarship at the Frieburg Music Academy in Breisgau where he trained his voice and studied classical horn, a skill which has been attributed to helping Wunderlich's extraordinary breathing control. After completing college Wunderlich's first professional engagement was with the Stuttgart State Opera and during the course of his relatively brief career he also sang at the Bavarian and Vienna State Operas. Although Wundelrich is best known for his interpretations of Mozart's work he also performed works by Strauss, Lehár, Kálmán and Fall. Wunderlich's premature death has been the subject of much speculation - he died after falling down a flight of stone stairs whilst on vacation at a friend's castle - but rumours persist he may have been pushed. Whatever the circumstances, the accident cut short the career of one of the most promising tenors to emerge from Germany.

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