Wiemann, Ernst (1919–1980)

German bass. After study in Hamburg and Munich he made his debut at Kiel in 1938. He sang in Berlin and Nuremberg after the war and in 1957 joined the Hamburg Staatsoper. During the 1960s he was successful at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, where he made his debut in 1961, as King Henry. He was heard widely in Europe and North America in the Wagner bass repertory (at the Metropolitan Opera House, 1961–69), and in operas by Mozart and Verdi. He sang Gurnemanz at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London (1971), and was much admired as Sachs, Philip II, Osmin, Rocco, and Arkel.