Gottlob Frick - Prince Gremin's aria

Gottlob Frick (born Ölbronn, Germany, 28 July 1906 - died Muhlacker, Germany, 18 August 1994) was a German bass who sang in opera. He was known for his wide repertory including Wagner and Mozart roles, as well as those of Nicolai and Lortzing.

Frick's teachers included Fritz Windgassen (father and teacher of Fricks contemporary the tenor Wolfgang Windgassen).

He was a member of the chorus at the state opera in Stuttgart 1927-1934. His first solo role was in Coburg in 1934, followed by Freiburg (1936) and Königsberg (1938) where he was spotted by Karl Böhm and engaged for the Dresden State Opera, which was his base for the following decade. In 1950 he moved to the Deutsche Oper Berlin and his international career took him to all the leading houses in Europe.

His voice, instantly recognisable, was aptly described by Wilhelm Furtwängler as 'the blackest bass in Germany' (den schwärzesten Bass in Deutschland).

The roles for which Frick was best known were Osmin, Sarastro, Kaspar, Rocco, Philip II, and above all the great Wagner bass parts including Pogner, Daland, Hunding, Hagen and Fasolt. Perhaps surprisingly he avoided the role of Richard Strausss Baron Ochs, which might have been thought ideal for him.

He retired in 1970 from the stage, although a few of his recordings (for instance, his portrayal of Gurnemanz in the Solti-led Parsifal) date from after that year.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Gottlob
• Frick
• Prince
• Gremin's
• aria

[podkivanok]

THANKS! More german singers on youtube!

[MusashiTzu]

I have also posted some Bohme and Weber, if you want more German basses just look around my channel:)

[irmgardfuerst]

Er war wunderbar!!! Wo gibt es so einen Bass heute? Ich hatte das Glück, ihn in all seinen großen Rollen zu erleben und habe nie wieder vergleichbar berührende Interpretationen gehört. Stimmumfang, Stimmtechnik UND Seele UND Identifikation mit der jeweiligen Rolle ... . unvergesslich!

[lmspr]

Totally gorgeous. What a voice!

[juanelmanitas]

Yo canto como bajo en un coro y siempre he tenido como inspiración la voz mas hermosa de esta tonalidad...¡el maestro Frick!

[OperusSuper]

Die Gremin-Arie ist eine der besten Gesangsleistungen von Frick überhaupt. Die herrliche Stimme strömt mit fast unglaublichem Wohllaut, schönstem Melos und perfektem Legato. In dieser Partie übertrifft Frick sogar Alexander Kipnis, der in vielen Rollen als Maßstab gilt.

Gerne und dankbar denke ich an die Sternstunden in der unvergessenen Münchner "Eugene Onegin" -Inszenierung mit der legendären Besetzung Wunderlich, Prey, Frick. Wo gibt es so etwas heute noch?

[Asquaredx2]

This has got to be one of the most satisfying endings to a piece ever written. 4:10 to the end is just heavenly.

[cantorandopera]

DELICIOUS!

[PhenomAnimalLover]

SH!!!

[oakroom48]

Very tenderly sung - thank you!

[Glenmed]

What is it about this voice that reminds me of sand-paper? - but produces the most satisfying and yes, sweetest and most musical sounds of all