Ernst Haefliger

Ernst Haefliger was among the better known and even more versatile tenors of his day time. He was amazing both around the operatic stage so that as a recitalist, and in each one of these realms his repertory was wide, from Baroque period (J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Enthusiasm and St. John Enthusiasm) towards the modern (Boris Blacher’s Zwischenfälle bei einer Notlandung). Haefliger received high compliment for his Schubert lieder, especially for Winterreise and Die schöne Müllerin. His 1949 Salzburg Event debut as Tiresias in Orff’s Antigonae received crucial acclaim. Haefliger was most likely most widely known for his Mozart (Pamina, Ferrando, Don Ottavio, as well as others), as well as for his portrayals from the Evangelist in the Bach Passions. He was among the 1st tenors to record Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde in stereo system (Bruno Walter, performing; 1960). The firmness of Haefliger’s tone of voice, while interesting, was generally thought to be not particularly exceptional; yet, due to his accuracy in articulation and deft feeling for phrasing, he accomplished a vocal design quite memorable, quite unique from additional tenors of his era. Though the majority of his recordings are years old, many stay on Philips (the biggest resource), Decca, Sony, DG, Naxos, Orfeo, Berlin Classics, Preiser Information, Testament, and additional brands. Ernst Haefliger was created in Davos, Switzerland, on July 6, 1919. He analyzed in the Zurich Conservatory with the Geneva Conservatory, where his most significant instructor was Fernando Capri; he later on required vocal lessons in Vienna from iconic tenor Julius Patzak. Haefliger debuted in 1942 in Geneva performing the Evangelist in the St. John Enthusiasm. The following 12 months he became a member of the Zurich Opera, staying there until 1952. From 1952-1974 he was an associate from the Deutsche Oper, but regularly appeared at additional major operatic locations and in recitals and orchestral concerts. Many essential debuts occurred in this 22-12 months operate, including at Glyndebourne (1956) performing Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Chicago’s Lyric Opera (1966), in the same function, and Moscow (1968) as the Evangelist. Haefliger continued to be active well previous his 1972 pension through the Deutsche Oper. Actually, he was performing Schubert’s Winterreise in recital as past due as 1995 (London’s Wigmore Hall), when he was 76! Also after he finally retired from performing, Haefliger produced concert looks in speaking functions, as with the 2002 overall performance of Schoenberg’s Gurrelieder in the Proms (in London), where he was narrator. Haefliger passed away in Davos on March 17, 2007.