Rosvaenge, Helge (eg. Helge Rosenvinge Hansen)

Opera singer (tenor)

Born: 29.08.1897 in Copenhagen

died: 19.06.1972 in Munich

After passing his engineering exams, Rosvaenge decided to study singing on the advice of his future wife Ilonka Holndonner (1895-1985). His sensational career began in Neustrelitz when he took over the role of Don José in Bizet's "Carmen" for a singer who had fallen ill. Due to his great success, he was engaged in Altenburg (1922-24), from there he went to Basel (1924-26), followed by the stages of Cologne (1926-29). From 1929 he was a permanent member of the Berlin State Opera, from 1930 also of the Vienna State Opera, and made guest appearances at the Bayreuth and Salzburg Festivals. In his heyday, he sometimes sang 200 evenings a year.

During the era of Wiesbaden's artistic director Heinrich Köhler-Helffrich, he had a permanent guest contract for the role of Calaf in Puccini's "Turandot" and thrilled audiences with his still vocal presence, brilliant top notes and metallic power.