Franz Kalchmair

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Franz Kalchmair (December 22, 1939 in Thalheim bei Wels, Austria) is a well known Austrian opera and air singer. He is a famous interpreter of clerical music and Bach-Cantatas. He is well known for portraying humorous roles (e.g. the pigs baron in Johann Strauß' Gipsy baron, Tewje in Anatewka, for which he was especially honored).

Franz Kalchmair was rasied in Thalheim bei Wels as son of a farmer. When 10 years old he attended the Sankt Florian (Linz-Land) Choirboys, where he got a professional singing education.

Later on he studied singing bass at Brucknerkonservatorium Linz. His first engagements were at the Landestheater St. Pölten and the Sommerbühne Baden/Vienna. He could not continue his singing career however because of his duties towards farm management he had to fulfill. Years later the love of music guided him back to the stage.

He was member of the Landestheater Linz Ensemble over 20 years and guest singer at the Volksoper Vienna under the lead of Fritz Muliar and at the Opera Graz. His many other engagements included: Seespiele Mörbisch under the lead of Helmut Lohner, Landestheater Salzburg, Sommerbühne Baden/Vienna, St. Pölten Landestheater, Summer theatre Steyr, tours through Germany and Denmark.

His repertoire includes: bass opera parts as Fallstaff, Tannhäuser, Kezal, Osmin, Sarastro, Fürst Gremin, Ochs.

He was awarded the Cultural Medal in gold for long term activities of the City Wels and the honour ring of his home town Thalheim bei Wels.

Persondata
NAME	Kalchmair, Franz
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Austrian singer
DATE OF BIRTH	1939
PLACE OF BIRTH	Thalheim bei Wels
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH