Hans-Hermann Nissen
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Hans-Hermann Nissen (May 20, 1893, Danzig - March 28, 1980, Munich) was a German operatic bass-baritone, particularly associated with Wagner roles, one of the leading Wotan and Hans Sachs of the inter-war period.
He studied in Berlin with Julius Raatz-Brockmann, and made his debut at the Berlin Volksoper, as Kalif in Der Barbier von Bagdad, in 1924. He joined the Munich State Opera in 1925, where he remained until 1967, and was a regular guest at the Bayreuth Festival, where he quickly established himself as a leading Wagnerian.
Beiginning in 1928, he made guest appearances outside Germany, singing at the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Salzburg Festival, La Monnaie in Brussels, La Scala in Milan, the Liceo in Barcelona. He made his American debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1930, and at the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1938.
Beside Wotan and Sachs, other notable roles included; Wolfram, Telramund, Kurnewal, Oreste in Elektra, and Barak in Die Frau ohne Schatten. He also tackled a few Verdi roles such as di Luna, Renato, Amonasro, etc.
Nissen possessed a rich and sonorous voice and an imposing stage presence.
