Obituary: German Bass-Baritone Gerd Grochowski Dies at 60

By Francisco Salazar

The German bass-baritone Gerd Grochowski has died at the age of 60.

Grochowski reportedly died in Mainz of a heart attack. The Bass-Baritone was known for his work in Wagner and his Klingsor in last summer’s “Parsifal” at Bayreuth. The bass-baritone enjoyed a 15 years career at the Bonn Opera before becoming an international singer.

Grochowski then enjoyed an international career after breaking out in the role of Kurnewal in “Tristan Und Isolde” at the Metropolitan Opera. He later went on to perform the same role at the Teatro alla Scala as well as  Gunther in “Gotterdammerung.” He also sang Teleramund in “Lohengrin” at the Royal Opera. He was also hand picked by the late Patrice Chereau for the celebrated Vienna Festival production of Janacek’s “From the House of the Dead.” Other roles included Ferrucio in Busoni’s “Dr. Faust” and Bluebeard in Bartok’s “Bluebeard’s Castle”

Thankfully Grochowski’s work has been well documented. He can be heard on a recording of Strauss’ “Elektra” with Evelyn Herlitzius and Camilla Nylund. He can also be seen in La Scala’s DVD of “Tristan Und Isolde” with Waltraud Meier and  Ian Storey and his performance of “From the House of the Dead” is also on DVD as well as his Gunther from “Gotterdammerung. He also has recordings of “Lohengrin” and Beethoven’s “Fidelio.”

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