Wiemann, Ernst

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Wiemann, Ernst

Wiemann, Ernst, German bass; b. Stapelberg, Dec. 21, 1919; d. Hamburg, May 17, 1980. He studied in Hamburg and Munich. After making his operatic debut in Kiel (1938), he sang in provincial German opera houses until joining the Hamburg State Opera in 1955. On Nov. 17, 1961, he made his Metropolitan Opera debut in N.Y. as Heinrich in Lohengrin, and remained on its roster until 1969. In 1971 he sang Gurnemanz at London’s Covent Garden. He also appeared as a guest artist with opera companies on both sides of the Atlantic. He was best known for his Mozart, Wagner, and Verdi roles.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire