Waldemar Kmentt

Waldemar Kmentt (February 2, 1929, Vienna) is an Austrian operatic tenor, particularly associated with the German repertory, both opera and operetta.

He studied at the Vienna Music Academy first the piano, and later voice with Adolf Vogel, Elisabeth Radó and Hans Duhan. In 1950, he sang the tenor-solo part in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony under Karl Bohm, and made his operatic debut the following year as a lyric tenor at the Vienna State Opera where he was to sing for more than 35 years. He also quickly became a regular guest at the Salzburg Festival in Mozart roles (Belmonte, Don Ottavio, Ferrando, Tamino, both Idamante and Idomeneo).

Beginning in 1956, he appeared outside Austria, Milan, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Munich, etc.He made his debut at the Bayreuth Festival, as Walther Stolzing in "Die Meistersinger von Nurmberg", in 1968. He also appeared regularly at the Vienna Volksoper in operetta, notably "Die Fledermaus".

Other notable roles included; Jacquino, Erik, Bacchus, The Emperor, he also sang a few Italian roles with success such as Rodolfo, des Grieux, Ruggero, etc. In 1960, he created Gabriel in Frank Martins's "Le Mystère de la Nativité".

Kmentt sang well into his sixties in small character roles such as Mr Triquet in "Eugene Onegin", the Innkeeper in "Der Rosenkavalier", Altoum in "Turandot", while teaching at Vienna Music Academy.

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