WFMT-FM has reported that German tenor Peter Hoffmann has died after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Besides his distinguished international career as a star of Wagner operas, he starred in the Hamburg production of "The Phantom Of The Opera." He was 64.
Wonderful performer. Brilliant Wagnerian in his prime. Sadly, his Parkinson's forced him to retire at a very early age (late forties).
If my memory is correct, he made a recording of "West Side Story" conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, co-starring soprano Deborah Sasson. Is that correct? I think he had a lot of curly blond hair on the LP cover (it was the '80s, after all!).
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Peter Hoffmann was a very good-looking guy. Yes, he had curly blond hair and chisled features.
I saw him in several Wagnerian production at the Met. The one that stands out was LOHENGRIN and he was remarkable.
I believe he did the original German production of Phantom.
He sings the part of Seigmund in the Chereau production of the Ring Cycle. IMHO, he started the whole "get a hot bod" approach to opera casting. In his case, of course, he could carry it off, with a solid voice.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Some say that he ruined his voice by singing rock music in Germany. I don't know if that was a fact.
Videos