Rode, Wilhelm

views updated

Rode, Wilhelm

Rode, Wilhelm , German bass-baritone; b. Hannover, Feb. 17, 1887; d. Icking, near Munich, Sept. 2, 1959. He studied in Hannover. He made his operatic debut in 1908 as the Herald in Lohengrin in Erfurt, then sang in Bremerhaven (1912–14), Breslau (1914–21), and Stuttgart (1921–22). He was a leading member of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich (1922–30), the Vienna State Opera (1930–32), and the Deutsches Opernhaus in Berlin (1932–45), where he also served as Intendant (1935–45); also appeared at London’s Covent Garden and in other European opera houses. A member of the Nazi party, he was compelled to give up his career at the close of World War II. He became best known for his roles in Wagner’s operas.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire