Theo Adam
Born in 1926, Theo Adam was one of the leading bass-baritones of the post-World War II era, particularly well known for his Wagnerian roles. He joined the boys' choir of the Dresden Kreuzchor in 1937, a traditional starting point for singers of that city. He began studying music in his hometown and in Weimar. He was called for military service in 1944 but resumed musical studies when the war ended.
His professional debut was at the Dresden State Opera in 1949, which led to a guest appearance in the 1952 Bayreuth Festival, which was also the year he joined the Berlin State Opera. Despite the handicap of living in the Soviet bloc, Adam was selected in 1963, after a few appearances in smaller roles, to sing the role of Wotan in Wagner's Ring at the Wagnerian shrine of Bayreuth in 1963. He later sang the other major bass-baritone and bass roles in many Wagner operas, including Hans Sachs, King Mark, Amfortas, and the Dutchman. Adam was also well known for the roles of Baron Ochs (Strauss' Rosenkavalier), Pizzaro (Beethoven's Fidelio), Wozzeck (Berg), King Philip (Verdi's Don Carlos), La Roche (Strauss' Capriccio), Don Giovanni (Mozart), and other important parts.
Adam appeared at the world's most prestigious venues, with debuts at the Metropolitan in 1963, Covent Garden in 1967, and the 1972 Salzburg Festival. He was also a highly esteemed oratorio singer. In addition to singing the Bach Passions and several cantatas, he was exceptional in the title role of Mendelssohn's Elijah.
Adam's interpretations were intelligent and dramatic, his voice robust. Beginning in 1977, Adam made regular television appearances on his show "Theo Adam lädt ein" (An ivitation from Theo Adam). The author of several books, Adam wase laureate of numerous awards, including the Schumann Prize of the City of Zwickau, the National First Prize of the German Democratic Republic, and the title of "Chamber Singer of Austria." Adam died at the age of 92 in his hometown, early in 2019.
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Händel: Der Messias (Ausschnitte)
Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Solistenvereinigung des Berliner Rundfunks, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Helmut Koch
Klassiek - Released by Eterna on 18 aug. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wagner & Strauss: Famous Opera Scenes (KulturSpiegel - Eterna - Über Grenzen hinaus)
Theo Adam, Berlin Staatskapelle, Dresden Staatskapelle, Otmar Suitner & Gisela Schröter
Opera - Released by Berlin Classics on 30 mrt. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vocal Recital: Adam, Theo - SCHUBERT, F. / WOLF, H. / SCHUMANN, R.
Klassiek - Released by Berlin Classics on 1 jan. 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bach: Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt / Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Erhard Mauersberger
Religieuze cantates - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1969
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
SCHUBERT, F.: Alfonso und Estrella [Opera] (Suitner)
Staatskapelle Berlin, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Peter Schreier, Hermann Prey, Theo Adam, Otmar Suitner
Volledige opera's - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1978
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Theo Adam singt Balladen von Carl Loewe
Divers - Released by Eterna on 10 feb. 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schütz: Lukas-Passion (Heinrich Schutz)
Dresdner Kreuzchor, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Rudolf Mauersberger
Vocale muziek (wereldlijk en religieus) - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1967
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Così fan tutte (Sung in Italian)
Staatskapelle Berlin, Chor der Staatsoper Berlin, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Otmar Suitner
Volledige opera's - Released by Eterna on 22 okt. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
MOZART, W.A.: Opera Arias (Adam)
Theo Adam, Staatskapelle Dresden, Otmar Suitner
Opera - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1970
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Opera Arias (Bass): Adam, Theo - WAGNER, R. / STRAUSS, R.
Opera - Released by Berlin Classics on 30 mrt. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Theo Adam singt berühmte Balladen von Carl Loewe
Divers - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1967
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Theo Adam singt aus russischen und italienischen Opern (Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky - Konstantin Shilovsky - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky)
Theo Adam, Staatskapelle Berlin, Kurt Masur
Divers - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1968
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Berühmte Opernduette: Peter Schreier & Theo Adam (Karel Sabina - Bedrich Smetana - Michel Carre)
Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Staatskapelle Dresden, Otmar Suitner
Opera - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1973
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schumann: Dichterliebe, Op. 48 / Wolf: Ausgewählte Lieder
Divers - Released by Eterna on 18 jul. 1980
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Das Schaffen Johann Sebastian Bach, Serie A. Kantaten (Mono Version)
Adele Stolte, Theo Adam, Kurt Thomas
Divers - Released by BNF Collection on 1 jan. 1961
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
BACH, J.S.: Sacred Arias - BWV 4, 59, 68, 71, 79, 111, 140, 244, 248 (Adam)
Klassiek - Released by Berlin Classics on 26 dec. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schütz: Die Sieben Worte Jesu Christ am Kreuz & Kleine Geistliche Konzerte
Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Hans-Joachim Rotzsch, Hermann Christian Polster, Dresdner Kreuzchor
Klassiek - Released by Eterna on 5 jan. 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Così fan tutte (Highlights - Sung in Italian)
Staatskapelle Berlin, Chor der Staatsoper Berlin, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Otmar Suitner
Opera - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1970
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
ALBERT, E. d': Tiefland [Opera] (Schmitz)
Staatskapelle Dresden, Chor der Staatsoper Dresden, Theo Adam, Paul Schmitz
Volledige opera's - Released by Eterna on 6 feb. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
MUSSORGSKY, M.P.: Boris Godunov (excerpts) (Sung in German) (Kegel)
Staatskapelle Dresden, Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Philharmonischer Kinderchor Dresden, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Herbert Kegel
Opera - Released by Eterna on 1 jan. 1971
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Theo Adam singt Lieder von Richard Strauss
Divers - Released by Eterna on 28 mrt. 1984
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo