21 Facts About Theo Adam

Theo Adam was a German operatic bass-baritone and bass singer who had an international career in opera, concert and recital from 1949.

Theo Adam was a member of the Staatsoper Dresden for his entire career, and sang at the Bayreuth Festival from 1952 to 1980.

Theo Adam particularly excelled in portraying roles by Richard Wagner, especially Wotan in Der Ring des Nibelungen, which he performed at the Metropolitan Opera, among others.

Theo Adam was a voice teacher at the Musikhochschule Dresden.

Theo Adam served in the German Army in World War II.

Theo Adam studied singing privately with Rudolf Dietrich between 1946 and 1949.

Theo Adam made his professional debut at the Staatsoper Dresden as Czernikowski in Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov in 1949, followed by the Hermit in Weber's Der Freischutz.

Theo Adam remained a member of the house throughout his career.

Theo Adam appeared at the Bayreuth Festival first in 1952, as Ortel in Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg.

Theo Adam returned annually to Bayreuth for many years, taking on the role of Heinrich der Vogler in Lohengrin in 1954, Titurel in Parsifal the same year, Fasolt in Das Rheingold in 1958, and Wotan in Der Ring des Nibelungen in 1963.

Theo Adam eventually added Amfortas in Parsifal, Hans Sachs and Veit Pogner in Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, and the title role in Der fliegende Hollander to his Bayreuth performance credits.

Theo Adam made his debut at the Royal Opera House in London as Wotan in 1967.

Theo Adam made his first appearance at the Salzburg Festival as Ochs in Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss in 1969, returning there three years later in the title role of Alban Berg's Wozzeck.

Theo Adam appeared as Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Vienna State Opera in a new 1972 production.

Theo Adam returned to the Metropolitan Opera in 1972 for Sachs and Wotan with a similar cast that now included Gwyneth Jones.

Theo Adam usually looks noble in whatever part he sings, perhaps appearing so naturally, whereas here he had to act the dissolute anarchist.

Theo Adam participated in the first recording of the Berio's Un re in ascolto.

Theo Adam was a regular soloist with the Munchener Bach-Chor conducted by Karl Richter, performing and recording Bach's cantatas and Passions.

Theo Adam was praised for his robust voice, intelligent interpretation and stage presence, and sometimes criticized for abrasive tone quality, unsteadiness, and wobble.

Theo Adam taught voice as honorary professor at the Musikhochschule Dresden from 1979.

Theo Adam wrote books about his life, career, and perspective on opera:.