Alfred Poell
Alfred Poell (March 18, 1900 - January 30, 1968) was an Austrian operatic baritone.
Biography and career
Alfred Poell was born in Linz, Austria, and studied medicine at the Innsbruck University, and obtained his doctorate there. He practised for a time as a neck specialist. He then turned to vocal studies at the Vienna Music Academy with Philip Forsten and Joseph von Manowarda.
He made his operatic debut at the Dusseldorf Opera House in 1929, where he sang for ten years and where he took part in the premiere of Ludwig Maurick's work Simplicius Simplicissimus, on March 23, 1938. He joined the Vienna State Opera in 1940, where he sang until the end of his career. He also became a regular guest at the Salzburg Festival and the Glyndebourne Festival, where he was especially admired for his Mozart singing. He made guest appearances at La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London. the Palais Garnier in Paris and other major European stages.
Besides Mozart roles, he also performed in works such as Fidelio, Der Freischütz, Ariadne auf Naxos, Der Rosenkavalier, Die Frau ohne Schatten, Arabella, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Die Götterdämmerung, Palestrina, Fledermaus, etc.
He took part in the premiere of Richard Strauss's Die Liebe der Danae in 1953, and Gottfried von Einem's Der Prozess in 1954. He also enjoyed a successful career as a concert and Lieder singer.
Alfred Poell died in Vienna, Austria.
Sources
- Operissimo.com
- Bach-cantatas.com