German ‘Lieder’ singer Fischer-Dieskau dies, age 86

German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau died on Friday his wife, Julia Varady, announced.

Fischer-Dieskau was one of the most famous ‘Lieder’ performers of the twentieth century. In a career lasting 40 years he was an inspiration to the vast number of singers who have followed his example in this field, and made the singing of lieder a common experience, creating new audiences around the world.

Born in Berlin Fischer-Dieskau studied there with the veteran lieder artist Georg Walter, then after the second world war with Hermann Weissenborn, who partnered him at the piano in early recitals. A successful career in opera began at the Berlin City Opera as Posa in Don Carlos in 1948. He sang most of the major baritone roles in the house. From 1949 onwards he appeared regularly at the Vienna State Opera and at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. He also sang at the Bayreuth festival from 1954 to 1956.