Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, RIP

[makropulos]

This is very sad news indeed, as reported in Die Welt today: it has been announced that Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau has died just before his 87th birthday.

http://www.welt.de/newsticker/dpa_nt/infoline_nt/schlaglichter_nt/article106337121/Saenger-Dietrich-Fischer-Dieskau-gestorben.html

[Norfolk Born]

Oh dear ...as you say, very sad news. I see 'Die Welt' refers to him as 'The Singer Of The Century' - who would argue with that?

[PJPJ]

Very sad news.

FiDi - RIP

[makropulos]

He really was one of those artists who I'd somehow imagined lasting for ever - it's a real shock and a tremendous sadness.
Nothing in the mainstream UK press or the BBC that I can find as yet (2 p.m.), though it was reported on Norman Lebrecht's blog a couple of hours ago.

Here's another German obit in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (where the news is also announced on its front page):

http://www.faz.net/aktuell/dietrich-fischer-dieskau-ist-tot-abschied-von-einer-jahrhundertstimme-11755586.html

Presumably much more will follow in due course.

[Mahlerei]

Yes indeed. As someone else has said, a world without DF-D seems inconceivable. I shall listen to some of his Mahler tonight

[salymap]

Yes, he has been a big part of the world of music for so long - very sad, RIP DF-D.

[austin]

Another great singer who has been there all my life. RIP DF-D

http://tinyurl.com/d8j5of2

[Nick Armstrong]

Oh no...

[makropulos]

The Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/may/18/dietrich-fischer-dieskau-dies-opera?INTCMP=SRCH

[makropulos]

The BBC news site has a piece on DFD now, describing him as "the respected German baritone" which seems like understatement...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18118722

[Colonel Danby]

Very sad news indeed, I grew up with his recordings of the Schubert and Mahler songcycles. I did get to see him live just the once in Schoenberg's "Gurrelieder" in the RFH some years ago as the sprecher.

A great singer, once of the best of his generation. RIP DF-D

[french frank]

It seems inconceivable to think of him as one of the greats from the past - he seemed to exist in eternity. But grateful thanks for the musical legacy.

I'd love to hear those 'Artist of the Week' interviews from the 90s, with Joan Bakewell and DF-D again.

[makropulos]

Very sad news indeed, I grew up with his recordings of the Schubert and Mahler songcycles. I did get to see him live just the once in Schoenberg's "Gurrelieder" in the RFH some years ago as the sprecher.

A great singer, once of the best of his generation. RIP DF-D

I'm so glad to have heard him live too. My favourite DFD memory was Brahms's "Ein deutsches Requiem" at the Albert Hall, with Julia Varady, the Philharmonia and Wolfgang Sawallisch in November 1981 - unforgettably marvellous.

[Frances_iom]

The BBC news site has a piece on DFD now, describing him as "the respected German baritone" which seems like understatement...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18118722

ah but he didn't sing raunchy lyrics to a banal computer generated soundtrack which seems to be the key to getting notice these days - any betting that little notice will be taken of this other than I hope (tho under current management maybe not) on R3.

[pastoralguy]

Very sad news indeed.

R.I.P D F-D.