A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Betz, Franz

by Alexis Chitty

BETZ, Franz, born 19 March, 1835, at Mayence, was educated at the Polytechnic, Carlsruhe, made his début on the stage in '56 at Hanover, afterwards sang in smaller towns, and in May '59 played at Berlin as Don Carlos in 'Ernani,' with such success that he was promptly engaged, and has been a member of that company ever since. Among his best parts are Don Juan, Orestes, William Tell, Lysiart, Hans Heiling, and the baritone parts of Wagner. At the production of 'Die Meistersinger' at Munich, June 21, '68, he sang the part of Hans Sachs, and in 1876 he sang the part of Wotan at Bayreuth. He has also, on leave of absence, played at Vienna and other cities of Germany and Austria. In 1882 he visited England, and sang with great success at the Crystal Palace, May 6 and 27, and at the Richter concert of May 8.

[ A. C. ]