Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Aficionados of opera and classical singing disciplines still speak about the remarkable tone of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's voice with reverence. He was one of the best known of the post-war singers of lieder, art songs, usually of romantic German poems, set to music.

As an 18-year-old Berliner he had been drafted into the Wehrmacht in 1943 and served in the German military until he was taken prisoner by US forces in Italy in 1945. He returned to Germany in 1947 and began his professional career performing all over Europe. He was appointed principal baritone at the Städtische Oper Berlin where he made his stage debut in the role of Posa in Verdi's 'Don Carlos'. He performed at opera houses throughout Europe including Vienna and Munich as well as France, Italy, England and Switzerland, and quickly made a name for himself as a much sought after baritone voice.

He eventually retired from concert singing in 1993 at the age of 67 and dedicated his musical life to conducting and teaching until his death in 2012 at the age of 86 at his home in Bavaria. Classical music enthusiasts all over the world appreciate the huge legacy of recorded work he left behind him, literally hundreds of albums recorded for EMI, Deutsche Grammophon and Orfeo during the heyday of his talent.