Opera Singer. Theo Adam was a German operatic bass who had an active international career in operas, concerts, and recitals from the 1940s through the 1990s. He was particularly noted for his portrayal of roles from the operas of Richard Wagner. Adam appeared in a number of world premieres during his career. He notably created the title roles in Paul Dessau's Einstein (1974, Berlin) and Friedrich Cerha's Baal (1981, Salzburg) and the role of Prospero in Luciano Berio's Un re in ascolto (1984, Salzburg). In 1979, the artist was named a Kammersänger. Adam's discography includes Così fan tutte (1969), Fidelio (1969 and 1979), Der fliegende Holländer (conducted by Otto Klemperer, 1968), Der Freischütz (1973 and 1985), Hänsel und Gretel (1970), Leonore (1976), Die Meistersinger (conducted by von Karajan, 1970), Parsifal (as Amfortas, 1975), Der Ring des Nibelungen (conducted by Karl Böhm, 1966–67; and by Marek Janowski, 1980–1983), Tannhäuser (1968–69), Wozzeck (1970 and 1973), and Die Zauberflöte (as Sarastro, 1968; elsewhere as the Sprecher). Also notable is the recording of the premiere of Berio's Un re in ascolto (conducted by Lorin Maazel, 1984). His non-operatic recordings include the Angel Raphel in Haydn's Die Schöpfung, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and the Mozart/Süssmayr Requiem. He performed Bach cantatas as a soloist with the Münchener Bach-Chor conducted by Karl Richter. Adam wrote two books about his life, career, and perspective on opera: "Seht, hier ist Tinte, Feder, Papier …: Aus der Werkstatt eines Sängers" (Berlin, 1980) and "Die hundertste Rolle, oder, Ich mache einen neuen Adam" (Munich, 1987).
Opera Singer. Theo Adam was a German operatic bass who had an active international career in operas, concerts, and recitals from the 1940s through the 1990s. He was particularly noted for his portrayal of roles from the operas of Richard Wagner. Adam appeared in a number of world premieres during his career. He notably created the title roles in Paul Dessau's Einstein (1974, Berlin) and Friedrich Cerha's Baal (1981, Salzburg) and the role of Prospero in Luciano Berio's Un re in ascolto (1984, Salzburg). In 1979, the artist was named a Kammersänger. Adam's discography includes Così fan tutte (1969), Fidelio (1969 and 1979), Der fliegende Holländer (conducted by Otto Klemperer, 1968), Der Freischütz (1973 and 1985), Hänsel und Gretel (1970), Leonore (1976), Die Meistersinger (conducted by von Karajan, 1970), Parsifal (as Amfortas, 1975), Der Ring des Nibelungen (conducted by Karl Böhm, 1966–67; and by Marek Janowski, 1980–1983), Tannhäuser (1968–69), Wozzeck (1970 and 1973), and Die Zauberflöte (as Sarastro, 1968; elsewhere as the Sprecher). Also notable is the recording of the premiere of Berio's Un re in ascolto (conducted by Lorin Maazel, 1984). His non-operatic recordings include the Angel Raphel in Haydn's Die Schöpfung, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and the Mozart/Süssmayr Requiem. He performed Bach cantatas as a soloist with the Münchener Bach-Chor conducted by Karl Richter. Adam wrote two books about his life, career, and perspective on opera: "Seht, hier ist Tinte, Feder, Papier …: Aus der Werkstatt eines Sängers" (Berlin, 1980) and "Die hundertste Rolle, oder, Ich mache einen neuen Adam" (Munich, 1987).
Bio by: Neil Funkhouser
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