Hans-Peter Lehmann

German opera director Hans-Peter Lehmann was born in Kassel on 15 December 1934. His education included flute, music, pantomime and voice at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold and art history, musicology and theatre at the Freie Universität Berlin.

At the start of his career he assisted Carl Ebert and Gustav Rudolf Sellner at Deutsche Oper Berlin and Wieland and Wolfgang Wagner at Bayreuth, later continuing Wieland Wagner's legacy after the older man's death.

Lehmann was opera director at Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden (1976-80) and then at Staatsoper Hannover (1980-2001), where he initially concentrated on works by Richard Wagner, and also instigated remodelling of the theatre to improve the acoustics. He also introduced twentieth century works, initially fighting against audience resistance, and also invited other guest directors. He is seen as one of Staatsoper Hannover's most influential directors.

Hans-Peter Lehmann died in Munich on 5 February 2025, aged ninety.

 

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