The Bayreuth Festival deeply mourns the passing of Peter Seiffert, who died yesterday at the age of 71. With his passing, the opera world has lost a great and wonderful singer. It was not only his extraordinary tenor voice that was impressive, but also his profound interpretation of the great Wagner roles. Peter Seiffert began his career in 1978 at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. As a winner of the German Music Council competition, engagements throughout Europe and television appearances followed. His time at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, where he was a member of the ensemble from 1982 to 1992, was formative. From 1996 to 2005, Peter Seiffert appeared at the Bayreuth Festival as Walther von Stolzing and Lohengrin. He was a Kammersänger at the Vienna State Opera, the Bavarian State Opera and the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Numerous recordings with the most important conductors of our time and awards such as the Echo-Klassik “Singer of the Year 1999”, Grand Prix du Disque and a Grammy Award for the “Tannhäuser” recording under Daniel Barenboim document his extraordinary achievements.
Away from the opera stage, Peter Seiffert was an uncomplicated, very entertaining and generous person who will be greatly missed.
(c) Studioline_Photography