Peter Schreier

Early Life

Peter Schreier was born on July 29, 1935, in Meissen, Saxony, and grew up in the nearby village of Gauernitz. His father was a teacher, cantor, and organist, which likely influenced his early musical inclinations. In June 1945, shortly after the destruction of Dresden, he joined the boarding school of the Dresdner Kreuzchor boys' choir, where conductor Rudolf Mauersberger recognized his talent and allowed him to perform many solo alto parts. After his voice broke at 16, Schreier transitioned to tenor, fulfilling his dream of singing the roles of the Evangelists in J.S. Bach's Passions. He pursued formal voice lessons from 1954 to 1956 and studied conducting at the Musikhochschule Dresden.

Career

Schreier made his professional debut at the Dresdner Staatsoper in 1957 as the First Prisoner in Beethoven's "Fidelio." His breakthrough came in 1962 when he portrayed Belmonte in Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail." He became a member of the Berlin State Opera in 1963 and was a regular guest at the Vienna State Opera starting in 1966. Over his illustrious career, he performed over 60 operatic roles and was known for his appearances at prestigious venues, including the Bayreuth Festival and the Salzburg Festival. Notably, he was one of the few singers from East Germany to achieve international acclaim, performing at the Metropolitan Opera and other renowned stages.

Personal Life

Schreier was married to Renate and lived in Dresden until his passing on December 25, 2019. He was survived by his wife and two sons, Torsten and Ralf. His funeral service was held at the Kreuzkirche in Dresden on January 8, 2020.

Legacy

Throughout his career, Schreier received numerous accolades, including the National Prize of East Germany and the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize. He was also honored with the title of Kammersänger, conferred by the governments of East Germany, Austria, and Bavaria. His contributions to music, particularly in the interpretation of Bach, earned him a lasting legacy in the world of classical music.