{{short description|German classical tenor (1955–2023)}} {{for|the German theologian|Martin Petzoldt}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Martin Petzold | birth_date = {{birth date|1955|06|25|df=y}} | birth_place = Leipzig, East Germany | death_date = {{death date and age|2023|04|19|1955|06|25|df=y}} | death_place = | education = {{ubl| Thomanerchor | University of Music and Theatre Leipzig }} | occupation = Operatic tenor | organization = {{ubl| Landestheater Halle | Leipzig Opera }} | father = Ernst Petzold | title = Kammersänger | website = {{URL|http://www.martinpetzold.com/}} }}
'''Martin Petzold''' (25 June 1955 – 19 April 2023) was a German classical tenor who performed internationally in opera and concert. He was for decades a member of the Leipzig Opera, performing more than 80 roles such as Pedrillo in Mozart's ''Die Entführung aus dem Serail'', David in Wagner's ''Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg'' and Toni in Henze's ''Elegie für junge Liebende''. A member of the Thomanerchor as a boy, he was particularly known for the part of the Evangelist in oratorios and Passions of Johann Sebastian Bach.
== Career == In concert, Petzold collaborated with major orchestras and choirs, such as the Thomanerchor, the Dresdner Kreuzchor, the Monteverdi-Chor Hamburg, the Gewandhausorchester, the MDR Symphony Orchestra and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra.<ref name="bc" /> He was focused on works by Johann Sebastian Bach, singing the part of the Evangelist in his ''Christmas Oratorio'' and ''Passions'', conducted by Biller, Peter Schreier, Kurt Masur, Roderich Kreile, Rolf Schweizer and David Timm.<ref name="bc" /> He appeared in the ''St Matthew Passion'' more than 100 times, and in the ''Christmas Oratorio'' more than 300 times, saying that his respect for the works kept growing.<ref name="MDR" /> In concert he was in demand internationally, performing in European countries, the US, in China, Israel, at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, and in South America.<ref name="MDR" /> He worked with conductors including Riccardo Chailly, Kurt Masur, Yehudi Menuhin, Kent Nagano and Ton Koopman. In opera, he appeared at houses such as the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon.<ref name="MDR" />
Petzold worked from 2002 as a lecturer at international master classes,<ref name="bc" /> and was also a vocal coach of the Thomanerchor. Petzold also worked for the preservation of German Volkslied. In 2001 he was awarded the title Kammersänger.<ref name="Bachfest" />
After retiring from the opera stage, he took to drawing humorous books about music as another passion of his youth.<ref name="MDR" />
== Personal life == Petzold was born in Leipzig, the son of the theologian Ernst Petzold. He received his first musical education as a member of the Thomanerchor,<ref name="MDR" /><ref name="bc" /> where he was a member from 1965 to 1974, at the same time as Georg Christoph Biller. His father, his brother and later his son Jakob were also choir members. As Petzold initially refused to join the army, the East German authorities denied him the right to study music. He entered a seminary and began an apprenticeship as an art smith and.<ref name="MDR" /> He served in the military for 18 months and then studied voice from 1979 to 1985 at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig<ref name="MDR" /> with Eva Schubert and Bernd Siegfried Weber.<ref name="bc" /> He wanted to sing in an opera chorus, but while still a student was engaged as a soloist in Halberstadt and Altenburg. In 1985 he became a member of the Landestheater Halle.<ref name="bc" /> He appeared regularly at the Leipzig Opera from 1986, and became a permanent member of the ensemble in 1988. He performed more than 80 roles,<ref name="Bachfest" /> including David in Wagner's ''Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg'', Pedrillo in Mozart's ''Die Entführung aus dem Serail'', Toni in Henze's ''Elegie für junge Liebende'', Flaut in ''Ein Sommernachtstraum'' and Ivan in Shostakovich's ''Die Nase''.<ref name="bc" /><ref name="trio" />
Petzold died on 19 April 2023, at age 67.<ref name="MDR" /><ref name="LVZ" />
== References == <references>
<ref name="Bachfest">{{cite news | title = Martin Petzold | url = https://www.bachfestleipzig.de/de/bachfest/petzold-martin | publisher = Bachfest Leipzig | date = 2022 | language = de | access-date = 19 April 2023 }}</ref>
<ref name="bc">{{cite web | url = http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Petzold-Martin.htm | title = Martin Petzold (Tenor) | publisher = Bach Cantatas Website | access-date = 10 August 2012 }}</ref>
<ref name="LVZ">{{cite news | title = Der Leipziger Sänger Martin Petzold ist tot | url = https://www.lvz.de/kultur/regional/leipziger-saenger-martin-petzold-mit-67-jahren-gestorben-Z3VCA7XIUZFNTO6TX27RY6L6NE.html | work = Leipziger Volkszeitung | date = 19 April 2023 | language = de | access-date = 19 April 2023 }}</ref>
<ref name="MDR">{{cite news | title = Leipziger Tenor Martin Petzold gestorben | url = https://www.mdr.de/kultur/musik/leipzig-oper-martin-petzold-tenor-gestorben-100.html | work = MDR | date = 19 April 2023 | language = de | access-date = 19 April 2023 }}</ref>
<ref name="trio">{{cite web | url = http://www.st-koenig.de/proginfo/TrioMartin.html | title = Vita Martin Petzold | publisher = st-koenig.de | date = 2010 | language = de | access-date = 15 August 2012 }}</ref>
</references>
== External links == * {{official|http://www.martinpetzold.com/}} * {{discogs artist}} * [https://www.operabase.com/artists/martin-petzold-11759/en Martin Petzold] Operabase * Claudius Böhm: [https://www.gewandhausorchester.de/fileadmin/user_upload/05_medien/magazin/GhM_110_2021_Maerz_S08-12_Interview.pdf Gott sei Dank war ich nicht so karrierewütig] (interview, in German) Gewandhausorchester
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Petzold, Martin}} Category:1955 births Category:2023 deaths Category:20th-century German male opera singers Category:German operatic tenors Category:Musicians from Leipzig Category:German voice teachers Category:People educated at the St. Thomas School, Leipzig Category:University of Music and Theatre Leipzig alumni