A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Niemann, Albert
NIEMANN, Albert, one of the most famous living tenors of Germany, was born Jan. 15, 1831, at Erxleben, Magdeburg, where his father kept an hotel. He was placed, when 17 years old, in a machine factory, but want of means prevented his remaining there, and he went on the stage at Dessau in 1849, first as an actor of small parts, and afterwards as a chorus singer. Here the Hofkapellmeister Friedrich Schneider discovered his musical talent, and gave him some instruction. A baritone singer named Nusch taught him singing, and with such success that Niemann soon obtained engagements at Halle and other small theatres. He thus came under the notice of Herr von Hülsen, General Intendant of the German royal theatres, who called him to Berlin, and gave him the means of further improvement. He afterwards played at Stuttgardt and Königsberg, and through the kindness of the King of Hanover was sent to Paris to study under Duprez. On his return he joined the company at Hanover, and afterwards went to Berlin, where he is engaged at the present time, having been created 'Kammersanger' to the Emperor. In Germany he has for a long time past enjoyed a great reputation, especially in 'heroic parts,' for which his handsome person and powerful voice eminently fit him. He has played the parts of the Wagner heroes, also Cortez, Joseph, Raoul, John of Leyden, Arnold, George Brown (La Dame Blanche) and Chapelon (Postilion); and was selected by Wagner to play Siegmund in 'Die Walküre,' at Bayreuth in 1876.
Niemann has not sung out of Germany except when he played Tannhäuser in Paris, on its production at the Academic on March 13, 1861; when as is well known, the opera was received with great disfavour, only being played twice. [App. p.731 "At the end of article, for twice read three times. Add that Herr Niemann sang the part of Siegmund in the performance of the 'Nibelungen' at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1882, and that he recently (1887) took his farewell of the public. A son of his, Otto Niemann, also a tenor, appeared in a selection from 'Parsifal,' given at the London Symphony Concert of Dec. 13, 1887."]