Peter Schreier: Leading German tenor dies at 84

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – German singer and conductor Peter Schreier, one of the leading lyric tenors of the 20th Century, has died in Dresden at the age of 84.

One of the few international stars to emerge from former communist East Germany, he sang in opera houses from Berlin to Vienna and New York.

He remained in East Germany throughout the communist era, saying he did not want to leave Dresden.

Critics commended the expressiveness and intensity of his renditions.

Schreier ended his concert career in 2005 but continued to perform German Lieder (songs) until his health failed.

“A day without music is a wasted day,” he was once quoted as saying by dpa news agency.

Tributes have been paid by the music world in Germany and abroad.