Herbert Janssen (1892 - 1965)

A Swede born in Germany, Herbert Janssen began his vocal studies in Berlin. His success came with the role of Wolfram (Tannhäuser), which he sang for the first time at the festival of Waldoper in Zoppot (now Sopot, Poland). He also sang Gunther (Götterdämmerung), Amfortas (Parsifal), Kothner (Meistersinger), and Telramund (Lohengrin) there. Between 1926 and 1939, he was one of the principal singers at Covent Garden, focusing on baritonal roles.

      In 1937 Janssen left Germany for the United States, where he began learning the heavier Wagnerian roles. He sang Wotan and Hans Sachs, succeeding Friedrich Schorr at the Met. However, these roles did not come naturally to him, as this range was too low. After about a decade, his voice grew noticeably strained. Consequently, in 1950 he returned to his earlier roles. His last performance took place in 1952 in Boston, where he appeared with the touring Met company as Kothner (Meistersinger).

     Endowed with a gorgeous, fully rounded tone, Janssen was the quintessential Wagnerian baritone. His was the best interpretation of Wolfram in recorded history, and listening to him sing “Abendstern” (Evening Star) is a delightful experience. His Amfortas is also to be commended for its sensitivity. Janssen’s timbre is so similar to Melchior’s that when he sings Kurwenal, with the Great Dane as Tristan, their voices are almost indistiguishable. Fortunately, Janssen can be heard on several recordings, the last of which was issued by Preiser on their Lebendige Vergangenheit (Living Past, or Historic Recordings) series.

Historical Singers