Peter Hoffmann, Crossover Tenor, Dies

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 11/30/10 at 5:23pm

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.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/30/10 at 5:40pm

Wonderful performer. Brilliant Wagnerian in his prime. Sadly, his Parkinson's forced him to retire at a very early age (late forties).

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 11/30/10 at 5:48pm

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!).

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/30/10 at 6:22pm

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.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 11/30/10 at 6:27pm

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.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/30/10 at 9:50pm

Some say that he ruined his voice by singing rock music in Germany. I don't know if that was a fact.