GERMAN BASS WILHELM WISSIAK (1878-1960) CDR

 WILHELM WISSIAK (BRÜNN, GERMANY, 1878 † HANNOVER, GERMANY, 7 JANUARY, 1960)

 

He studied singing at the Vienna Konservatorium and made his operatic debut in 1902 at the Stadttheater in Elberfeld as Lohengrin. His early career included engagements at the Stadttheater of Colmar, the Nationaltheater in Berlin (1904–1905), and the Hofoper in Vienna (1905–1908). From 1909 to 1914, he was a member of the Stadttheater in Strasbourg, before joining the Hoftheater (later Landestheater) in Hannover, where he remained a prominent figure.

During this time, he also made notable guest appearances, such as at the Hofoper in München in 1910 and the Hofoper in Dresden in 1912 and 1917. His repertoire showcased his versatility in roles including Osmin in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Kaspar in Der Freischütz, Cardinal Brogni in La Juive, King Philip in Don Carlo, Landgraf in Tannhäuser, and Baron Ochs in Der Rosenkavalier.

In Hannover, he also participated in several world premieres:

1927: Herrn Dürers Bild by J.G. Mraczek

1931: Der Freikorporal by G. Vollerthun

1934: Blondin im Glück by Hans Grimm

1937: Die Fasnacht von Rottweil by W. Kempf

He was also a distinguished performer at the Internationale Händel-Festspiele Göttingen, appearing in Handel’s Radamisto in 1927.

His older brother, Richard Wissiak, also pursued a career as a bass after studying in Vienna. Richard performed at the Komische Oper in Berlin from 1905 to 1911 and at the Kurfürsten-Oper in Berlin from 1911 to 1913.

Chronology of some appearances

1902 Elberfeld Stadttheater

1904-1905 Berlin Nationaltheater

1905-1908 Vienna Hofoper

1909-1914 Strasbourg Stadttheater

1910 München Hofoper

1912 Dresden Hofoper

1914 Hannover Hoftheater

1915 Hannover Landestheater

1917 Dresden Hofoper

TRACKLIST

 

Odeon, Wien 1906-05/07

Favorite (Donizetti): Hell schon des Himmels Sterne X25726 Vx1191

Robert le diable (Meyerbeer): Nonnen, die ihr hier ruht X38289 Vx1362

Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Wer ein Liebchen hat gefunden X38344 Vx1359

Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Solche hergelauf’ne Laffen X38323 Vx1399

Faust (Gounod): O Nacht, verbreitehier dein schatt’ges Reich X38300

Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Terzett with Maikl & Melms X38357

Odeon, Wien 1907

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Die Klöster brennt alle ab X38492

Odeon, Wien 1907/1908

Wenn ich einmal der Herrgott wär’ (Binder) X25605 Vx2587