Ernst Kozub

Ernst Kozub (January 12 1924 – January 6 1971) was a German tenor and opera singer.

Kozub was born in Duisburg, Germany. Though his early death prevented him from fully realising his promise, he stands out as one of the notable heldentenor voices of the 1960s. He is best known for his Wagnerian roles, including Erik in "Der fliegende Holländer" (which he recorded with Theo Adam and Anja Silja in 1968). Because of the quality of his voice John Culshaw cast him as Siegfried in the Decca recording of "Der Ring des Nibelungen", but his ailing health (kept as a secret by him at that time)to master the role within a very short period of time given by Decca to him led to his very unfortunate replacement at the last minute by Wolfgang Windgassen.

Kozub died in 1971 in Frankfurt having only performed his last Tannhäuser in Italy 3 weeks before his death.

References

*Culshaw, John "Ring Resounding" Secker & Warburg, 1968. ISBN 0-436-11800-9
*Culshaw, John "Putting the Record Straight" Secker & Warburg, 1981. ISBN 0-436-11802-5