German opera director Dr. Peter Brenner passed away on Sept. 16, 2024 in Rommersheim.

Originally born Peter Felsenstein on May 8, 1930 in Freiburg, he studied law at the University of Vienna and music at the State Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.

From there, he would take on the role of assistant director to Günther Rennert at the Salzburg Festival before becoming assistant and evening director at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein from 1965-69. He also worked as Chief Opera Director at the Städtische Bühnen Freiberg and Theater Bremen in the subsequent decade. He was made the artist director of Darmstadt State Theater between 1984-91 and then took on the same position at the Mainz State Theater between 1991-99.

He would also direct operas at the Salzburg Festival, Bayerische Staatsoper, Hamburg Staatsoper, Welsh National Opera, and Opernhaus Zürich, among others.

He also taught at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, the Freiburg State University of Music, and the University of Music in Hamburg. He also produced numerous opera translations.