Helge Rosvaenge

Helge Rosvaenge (Roswaenge, Rosvænge), "Helge Anton Rosenvinge Hansen", (August 29, 1897 in Copenhagen – June 17, 1972 in Munich) was a famous Danish operatic tenor whose career became restricted to Germany, Austria and occupied Europe because of World War Two.

He made his debut at Neustrelitz as Don Jose in "Carmen" in 1921. Engagements followed at Altenburg, Basle, Cologne (1927-30) and the Berlin State Opera, where he was leading tenor from 1930 to 1944, being especially distinguished in the Italian repertory. He sang regularly, too, at the Vienna State Opera (from 1936) and in Munich. Rosvaenge also appeared at the Salzburg Festival, making his debut there in "Der Rosenkavalier". Other roles which he performed at Salzburg between 1933 and 1939 were Tamino in "Die Zauberflote", Huon in "Oberon" and Florestan in "Fidelio". His London debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, occurred in 1938, as Florestan.

Rosvaenge sang "Parsifal" at the Bayreuth Festival in 1934 and 1936 but otherwise avoided the Wagnerian repertory, except on recordings.

After World War Two Rosvaenge divided his time between Berlin and Vienna. He continued to sing until May 30, 1959 (when he gave what was billed as his farewell concert at Vienna's Great Musikvereinsaal), appearing as Calaf, Radames and Manrico. His voice showed little sign of age; it was still warm and sonorous throughout its scale, and brilliant and lustrous in its top register, which encompassed a full-blooded high D during its prime.

Rosvaenge appeared in a wide spectrum of roles ranging from Mozart to Puccini, to Verdi and Weber. He sang with "a steely voice, brilliant high notes and insistent declamation throughout its scale, and brilliant and lustrous in its top register," according to Luiz Eduardo Goncalves Gabarra. Rosvaenge was equally impressive as Andrea Chenier and was also an acclaimed and exciting Otello: he was often heard in this latter role on German radio.

He was a prolific recording artist, with records being produced as early as 1927 by the Gramophone Company (now EMI), and later by the Telefunken, Parlophone and Odeon labels. Many of these recordings have been reissued on CD. The finest of them were made in the 1930s and early 1940s. They contain some tremendously exciting lyric-dramatic singing.

Rosvaenge conducted a tour of the USA prior to his retirement. He died in Munich, aged 74.

External links

* Harold Rosenthal at http://bassocantante.com/opera/rosvaenge.html
* Karl Loebl in the Vienna "Express" Newspaper, June 1, 1959.
* Rudolf Weishappel in the Vienna "Kurier" newspaper, June 2, 1959.