Eberhard Freiherr von Waechter[a] (9 July 1929 – 29 March 1992) was an Austrian lyric baritone (categorized as a Kavalierbariton in the German Vocal Fach System), celebrated for his performances in the operas of Mozart, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. After retiring from singing, he became intendant of the Vienna Volksoper and the Vienna State Opera.
Awarded in 1963 the title Kammersänger, Waechter created in 1980 the role of Joseph in Gottfried von Einem's Jesu Hochzeit [de], opposite Karan Armstrong. Appropriately enough, given the fame of his 1959 recording in the title role of Mozart's Don Giovanni title role, Waechter appeared in 1969, depicted as Don Giovanni, on the set of postal stamps issued by Austria to commemorate the centenary of the Vienna State Opera.[1]
In 1987 Waechter was appointed general manager of the Vienna Volksoper. Four years later he also became head of the Vienna State Opera, a position he held at the time of his death. He suffered a fatal heart attack while walking in the woods of Vienna.
As Frank in the 1960 "gala" production of Die Fledermaus with the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Herbert von Karajan, featuring an all-star cast of guest singers performing hits from operetta, light opera and the Broadway stage. (Decca 4210462 – 2 CDs)
As Eisenstein in several other recordings of Die Fledermaus, conducted by Carlos Kleiber, Karl Böhm, Oscar Danon, and Herbert von Karajan.
^The engraving on his grave stone is Waechter, different from his family "von Wächter"
References
^Branscombe, Peter (2008). ""Waechter, Eberhard"". In Laura Williams Macy (ed.). The Grove Book of Opera Singers. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 527. ISBN978-0195337655.
