Otto Schelper

Born in Rostock in 1844, Otto Schelper wasn’t always destined for the opera. Imagine young Peter Johann Christian Otto Buck, as he was known then, dreaming of the stage at the tender age of eight. His father, a court official with a musical bent, likely encouraged these dreams. But practicality won out initially. Otto first trained as a merchant, a sensible profession in 19th century Germany. However, the lure of the stage proved too strong. When Rostock theater director Heinrich Behr moved to Bremen in 1860, Otto Schelper followed. He joined the Bremen Stadttheater, his mercantile aspirations fading into the background. He began his theatrical journey as a chorus singer under the tutelage of tenor Joseph Eichberger. His debut performance? Flotow’s opera “Martha.” Otto Schelper’s career took him from Cologne to Bremen, then to the Berlin Hofbühne, and back to Cologne, honing his craft and building his reputation. Otto Schelper found his artistic home in Leipzig in 1876. He joined the Leipzig opera and remained loyal to it until his death in 1906. His motto, “A man must sing manly!” resonated with audiences. Schelper became renowned as a Heldenbariton, a heroic baritone capable of tackling even bass parts. His powerful voice, combined with his compelling stage presence, made him a beloved figure in Leipzig. He was particularly celebrated for his Wagnerian interpretations. He could imbue both tragic and lyrical roles with depth and emotion. Otto Schelper wasn’t just a singer, he was a consummate performer. He brought his characters to life with a unique energy. He made his mark in Leipzig, especially with his performances in Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” He sang Wotan and the Wanderer in the Leipzig premiere of the cycle in 1878 and later brought these roles to Berlin in 1881. He even toured Europe with Neumann’s Wagner ensemble. He performed in the London premiere of the Ring Cycle in 1882. Here in Leipzig, he also shone in the premiere of Nessler’s “Der Trompeter von Säckingen” in 1884. Schelper’s talents extended beyond the opera stage. He was a sought-after concert singer. He notably performed in the German premiere of Verdi’s Requiem in Cologne in 1875. Otto Schelper’s life and career were intertwined with the city of Leipzig. He continued to perform here until just days before his death. His final resting place is in the Südfriedhof, where a monument adorned with his portrait medallion marks his grave. This monument, created by sculptor Max Lange, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Otto Schelper in Leipzig.