Walter Fink, born 30 March 1949 in Bregenz, studied classical philology and voice in Vienna. He started in 1977 in the
operatic studio of the Vienna Staatsoper, in tiny roles obviously; a member of the Bremen theater from 1982 (debut role: Ochs),
he returned to the Vienna Staatsoper in 1991 for the remainder of his career (until 2014). Now he sang a mix of main and
secondary parts, most prominently Sarastro, Osmin, both Fafners, Daland, Hunding, Titurel, Ochs, Brogni, Frè Laurent,
Don Basilio.
Particularly in the German repertory, I liked Fink very, very much; his Rocco or his Ochs were great. What always strikes me
is the uncanny resemblance of his voice to Georg Hann's, not because he imitates Hann, but because the timbres are really so
similar.
His baritone partner in the above recording, Wicus Slabbert, is another example for an unjustly overlooked singer who had
deserved far larger fame than he achieved.
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