Friedrichs (real name, Christofes), Fritz

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Friedrichs (real name, Christofes), Fritz

Friedrichs (real name, Christofes), Fritz, German baritone; b. Braunschweig, Jan. 13, 1849; d. Königslutter, May 15, 1918. He joined the chorus of the Braunschweig Opera in 1869, where he soon appeared in minor operatic roles. After singing in provincial opera centers, he was a member of the operas in Nuremberg (from 1883) and Bremen (from 1886), where he acquired distinction as a Wagnerian. From 1888 to 1902 he sang at the Bayreuth Festivals, most notably as Alberich, Beckmesser, and Klingsor. His guest engagements took him to Berlin, Vienna, London, Hamburg, and N.Y/s Metropolitan Opera (debut as Beckmesser, Jan. 24, 1900).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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