German opera singer Peter Schreier dies aged 84
Simona Block and Birgit Zimmermann (dpa)
DRESDEN, GERMANY, Simona Block and Birgit Zimmermann (dpa)- German opera singer Peter Schreier died in Dresden on Christmas Day following a long illness, his secretary told dpa on Thursday.
Schreier, who was considered one of the greatest tenors of the 20th century, was one of the voices of the former East Germany best known in the West, as he was given permission by authorities to perform outside of the Eastern Bloc.
He retreated from professional opera and concert life at the age of 65.
He continued to work in the field as a conductor and teacher until his health problems became too great. In his later years, he suffered from back problems and was a diabetic.
Schreier was born in Meissen, near Dresden, and began singing in the boys' choir of the Kreuzkirche in Dresden at the age of 8.
He later studied singing and conducting in Dresden and had his first opera performance in 1959.
Later in his career, he gave guest performances around the world, from New York City to Milan.
The Decca Classics international music label said on Twitter that Schreier would be missed and praised the "outstanding tenor" for his repertoire ranging from Bach to Stravinsky.
Michael Kretschmer, premier of the German state of Saxony, of which Dresden is the capital, said that Schreier was admired for his love for his home city as much as for his famous performances.
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