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Götz Friedrich’s immense talent and groundbreaking contributions to the world of opera have cemented his place as one of the most revered and influential directors of his time.
His innovative vision and ability to bring new life to classic works continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
Götz Friedrich’s Biography
Götz Friedrich was a highly acclaimed German opera and theatre director who made significant contributions to the world of opera throughout his career.
Friedrich began his career in the world of opera as a student and assistant to Walter Felsenstein at the Komische Oper Berlin in (East) Berlin on August 4, 1930. He directed his first productions here, establishing the groundwork for his future success.
Friedrich first attracted international attention and generated controversy with his 1972 Bayreuth Festival staging of Wagner’s Tannhäuser. However, it was while working on a Jenfa production in Stockholm later that year that he decided to defect to the West.
This relocation constituted a watershed moment in his career, allowing him to expand his creative vision on a global scale.
Friedrich was the primary director of the Hamburg State Opera from 1972 until 1981, confirming his reputation as a visionary director. During his tenure, he demonstrated his abilities by staging unique productions in a variety of operatic genres.
In addition, between 1977 and 1981, Friedrich was the director of shows at London’s prestigious Royal Opera House at Covent Garden.
It was here that he introduced the British audience to Alban Berg’s three-act conclusion of Lulu, a breakthrough work that challenged and inspired both performers and viewers.
Friedrich was named general director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1981, a position he held until his untimely death in 2000. This new position allowed him to broaden his creative horizons and create productions across the full operatic repertoire.
Friedrich is best known for his revolutionary productions of Wagner’s works, including his first Ring Cycle at Covent Garden, which ran from 1973 to 1976.
This performance, conducted by Colin Davis and featuring revolutionary designs by Josef Svoboda, left an indelible impression on audiences and cemented Friedrich’s place as a leading figure in the opera world.
Friedrich directed the world premieres of several noteworthy works over his career, including Josef Tal’s Die Versuchung (The Temptation) in Munich in 1976, Luciano Berio’s Un re in ascolto, Ingvar Lidholm’s “Ett Drömspel,” and Henze’s Raft of the Medusa.
Friedrich developed a reputation as a great interpreter of both new and established works due to his creative vision and ability to bring the composer’s intentions to life.
In addition to his theatrical performance, Friedrich was instrumental in spreading the opera’s popularity outside of Germany.
He founded the American Berlin Opera Foundation, which is today known as The Opera Foundation and is based in New York City. This organisation seeks to increase international audiences’ appreciation and comprehension of opera.
Friedrich’s legacy lives on through the countless DVD creations he created. Among these recordings are his critically acclaimed films Salome (1974) and Elektra (1981), both conducted by Karl Böhm.
Other significant DVD releases include Sir Georg Solti’s Falstaff (1979) and Die Frau ohne Schatten (1992), both conducted by Sir Georg Solti, and Woldemar Nelsson’s Lohengrin (1982).
Furthermore, his contentious Tannhäuser production in Bayreuth in 1972, as well as his Berlin productions of Die tote Stadt (1983) and Tristan und Isolde (1993), have been preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Friedrich was married to actress Ruth Maria Kubitschek, with whom he had a son named Alexander. He also had a son named Johannes from his marriage to soprano Karan Armstrong, who worked with him on many of his works.
Götz Friedrich’s Cause Of Death
Götz Friedrich’s cause of death is reported to have been due to a cancer which he suffered. He was 70 years old at the time of his death.
