Heinrich Zeller

Heinrich Zeller was a German tenor and former schoolteacher whose voice Richard Strauss discovered, arranging for him to study at the Munich Conservatory. He was engaged at the Weimar Court Theatre in 1888, making his debut as Lohengrin, and remained an ensemble member there for almost three decades. In 1894 he repaid his debt to Strauss by creating the title role of Guntram, a part considered unsingable by most other tenors, at its Weimar premiere. His repertory also included Tannhäuser, Florestan and Canio, and he sang at Bayreuth in 1891 and 1892 and at Covent Garden in 1907, retiring from the stage in 1917.