Merrill Hall, MU004
Biography
Wolfgang Brendel is professor of practice in voice at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
From Germany, he is widely viewed as one of the greatest baritones of his generation, starting with his debut at the Bavarian State Opera at the behest of conductor Carlos Kleiber.
Brendel sang the greatest roles of opera, from Mozart's Count Almaviva to Wagner’s Hans Sachs, on the international stages of the world to consistent acclaim, not only for his matinee-idol flair but for the penetrating artistry that enabled him to make these complex roles his own.
For most of his performing career, Brendel’s artistic home was the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, where he was closely associated with Kleiber and Wolfgang Sawallisch, and where he became the youngest Kammersänger in the company’s history, in 1977.
He was a regular guest at the Metropolitan Opera—where he made his debut at the age of 27—San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and La Scala.
Brendel’s achievements in opera have been recognized by numerous organizations, including the German government, who awarded him the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic for his outstanding service to the arts.
An accomplished and highly sought-after voice teacher, Brendel has discovered and cultivated numerous international vocal talents, both established and emerging.
With more than 20 years of dedicated teaching experience and a performing career spanning four decades and 80 operatic roles, Brendel contributes an unmatched breadth of performance experience, pedagogical expertise, and industry wisdom to his vocal studio.