Peter Schreier: German tenor and conductor

Career highlights

Schreier made his professional debut in August 1959 in the role of First Prisoner in Fidelio by Beethoven. In 1963 he joined the ensemble of the Berlin State Opera at Unter den Linden, where he established himself in leading Mozart roles and in German repertory. In 1969 he appeared in Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, a production that highlighted his versatility on the operatic stage. Schreier continued to perform internationally and also developed a second career as a conductor.

Repertoire and style

Schreier was particularly associated with Mozart roles such as Tamino and Don Ottavio, and with the Evangelist parts in J.S. Bach's Passions and cantatas, which demand clear narrative delivery and refined musical line. He maintained an active concert and Lieder recital schedule throughout his life, praised for intimate phrasing and tonal clarity rather than dramatic heft.

Recordings and legacy

Across decades he left numerous studio and live recordings in opera, oratorio and art song, making his voice familiar to a wide audience beyond the opera house. Critics and listeners have praised his musicianship and his ability to communicate text. Later in life he turned more frequently to conducting, leading orchestras and choirs in repertoire he had sung.

Selected roles and notable facts

• First Prisoner in Fidelio (professional debut)
• Mozart roles such as Tamino and Don Ottavio
• Evangelist in Bach's Passions and other sacred works
• Performer at major opera houses and concert halls in Europe and abroad

Peter Schreier died on 25 December 2019 in Dresden, leaving a legacy as one of post-war Germany's most respected lyric tenors and a musician whose recordings continue to be valued by singers and listeners for their clarity and musical intelligence.