Fischer-Dieskau << FIHSH uhr DEE skow >>, Dietrich (1925-2012), a German baritone, was one of the finest singers of lieder (German art songs) of his time (see Lieder). Fischer-Dieskau won international fame for his concerts and his many phonograph recordings. He sang with many important conductors and often performed with the noted piano accompanist Gerald Moore. Fischer-Dieskau also achieved great success in opera, performing with the world’s leading companies. He sang a wide range of baritone roles in works by most of the major opera composers.
Fischer-Dieskau was born on May 28, 1925, in Berlin and studied music there. He made his debut in 1947 in Johannes Brahms‘s A German Requiem. He made his United States debut in 1955 with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In 1993, he announced his retirement as a performer.
Fischer-Dieskau collected and introduced over 750 songs in The Fischer-Dieskau Book of Lieder (1977). He also wrote Schubert’s Songs (1977). Fischer-Dieskau died on May 18, 2012.
