Franz Crass

Franz Crass was a renowned German bass-baritone singer, born on March 9, 1928, in Wipperfürth, Rhine Province. He studied with Gerda Heuer in Wiesbaden and Professor Clemens Glettenberg at the Hochschule für Musik in Köln. Crass began his career in 1954 at the municipal theater in Krefeld and later sang at the Landestheater Hannover from 1956. He gained significant recognition for his performances in operas by Mozart and Wagner, particularly at the Bayreuth Festival, where he appeared from 1954 to 1973. Crass was also a regular member of the Köln Opera from 1962 to 1964 and later joined the Hamburg State Opera. He worked with prominent conductors like Otto Klemperer, Karl Böhm, and Herbert von Karajan.

Crass's career was marked by his powerful performances in roles such as Sarastro in *Die Zauberflöte*, the Commendatore in *Don Giovanni*, and Gurnemanz in *Parsifal*. He also excelled as a concert and oratorio singer, appearing in works like the Mozart *Requiem* and Bach's *Christmas Oratorio*. Due to severe hearing problems, Crass ended his singing career in 1981 and dedicated himself to coaching younger singers. He passed away on June 23, 2012, at the age of 84. Despite the end of his performing career, his legacy as one of the greatest basses of the 20th century remains unchallenged.

Genres

Opera

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Latest Release

Dvorak: Stabat Mater conducted by Rafael Kubelik live (Live)

Antonín Dvořák•

Rafael Kubelík•

Franz Crass•

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

Album - 10 Tracks - Released January 3, 2025