Karl Ridderbusch

Composers

Biography

Born: May 29, 1932; Recklinghausen, Germany  
Powerful of voice, though without the deep, cutting tone of some of his predecessors, bass Karl Ridderbusch nevertheless made a strong impression in the great Wagner bass roles. His plush instrument boasted thrusting top notes during the years of his considerable prime and possessed sufficient size to dominate a large orchestra. In addition, its fine focus made him a splendid singer of Bach, as was evidenced by his beautifully sung Christus in Read more the composer's St. Matthew Passion. Originally trained in engineering, Ridderbusch turned to singing when he won an amateur competition and was noticed by German tenor and TV personality Rudolf Schock. Schock was sufficiently impressed to help underwrite a program of studies at Essen's Folkwangschule. Ridderbusch made his stage debut at Münster's Städtisches Theater in 1961 and shortly thereafter accepted a contract at Essen where he began to undertake the Wagner, Verdi, and Strauss roles that would form the core of his subsequent repertory. In 1965, he joined the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. In 1966, he made his American debut singing Sarastro with Lyric Opera of Chicago and in 1967, he first appeared at Bayreuth. Ridderbusch made his first Metropolitan Opera appearances in 1967 and sang in an impressive Ring cycle at Covent Garden in 1971. His Hagen, somewhat heartier than most, was nonetheless a dangerous personality and was vigorously sung. Meanwhile, he had begun a long-term relationship with the Wiener Staatsoper and was frequently heard in Munich as well. Soon, he came into conductor Herbert von Karajan's circle of preferred singers and became a regular at the Salzburg Easter Festivals and in the conductor's related recording projects. During the period in which he was Karajan's leading bass of preference, Ridderbusch recorded such roles as Pogner in Die Meistersinger, Marke in Tristan und Isolde, Heinrich in Lohengrin, Hagen in Die Götterdämmerung, and Rocco in Fidelio. Nor was he unaccustomed to recording with others. Daland and Falstaff in Nicolai's Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor were sturdy interpretations sung under the direction of other leading conductors. Given his facility in the top register, Ridderbusch moved to undertake Hans Sachs and quickly became one of the role's leading proponents. His Sachs in the Chicago Lyric Opera's 1977 production of Die Meistersinger was, if somewhat bluff, richly and warmly sung. Read less
Browse 1-25 of 65 Available Recordings
1 2 3
  • 1.
    The Complete J.S. Bach Edition - 32gb Usb Stick
    The Complete J.S. Bach Edition - 32gb Usb Stick
    Label: Teldec   Catalog: 4661127 Release Date: 04/30/2013   Number of Discs: Fla
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Max van Egmond,  Kurt Equiluz,  Paul Esswood,  Walter Gampert  ... 
    Conductor:  Nikolaus Harnoncourt,  Gustav Leonhardt,  Ton Koopman,  Jaap Schröder  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Concentus Musicus,  Chorus Viennensis,  Vienna Boys' Choir  ... 
    On sale!
    CD: $375.99
    Back Order
    BUY 
    On sale!     CD:  $375.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 2.
    Wagner - The Great Operas [36-CD Set]
    Wagner - The Great Operas [36-CD Set]
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 973359 Release Date: 11/06/2012   Number of Discs: 36
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Peter Schreier,  Siv Wennberg,  René Kollo,  Janis Martin  ... 
    Conductor:  Heinrich Hollreiser,  Otto Klemperer,  Bernard Haitink,  Rudolf Kempe  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leipzig Radio Chorus,  Dresden Staatskapelle,  Dresden State Opera Chorus  ... 
    Recommendation
    On sale! $106.98
    CD: $74.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $106.98   CD:  $74.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 3.
    Flotow: Martha / Wallberg, Popp, Jerusalem, Soffel, Nimsgern
    Flotow: Martha / Wallberg, Popp, Jerusalem, Soffel, Nimsgern
    Label: Eurodisc   Catalog: 7789 Release Date: 04/25/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Friedrich von Flotow
    Performer:  Karl Ridderbusch,  Siegmund Nimsgern,  Siegfried Jerusalem,  Doris Soffel  ... 
    Conductor:  Heinz Wallberg
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Chorus,  Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra
    Recommendation
    On sale! $31.98
    ArkivCD $29.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $31.98   ArkivCD:  $29.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 4.
    The Complete Bach Edition
    The Complete Bach Edition
    Label: Teldec   Catalog: 664202 Release Date: 03/27/2012   Number of Discs: 154
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Max van Egmond,  Kurt Equiluz,  Paul Esswood,  Walter Gampert  ... 
    Conductor:  Nikolaus Harnoncourt,  Gustav Leonhardt,  Ton Koopman,  Jaap Schröder  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Concentus Musicus,  Chorus Viennensis,  Vienna Boys' Choir  ... 
    On sale! $399.99
    CD: $299.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $399.99   CD:  $299.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 5.
    Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg (Highlights)/ Karajan, Kollo, Schreier, Donath
    Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg (Highlights)/ Karajan, Kollo, Schreier, Donath
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 29038 Release Date: 02/07/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  René Kollo,  Sir Geraint Evans,  Karl Ridderbusch,  Peter Schreier  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leipzig Radio Chorus,  Dresden State Opera Chorus,  Dresden Staatskapelle
    CD: $12.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $12.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 6.
    Wagner: Tristan und Isolde / Karajan, Vickers, Dernesch
    Wagner: Tristan und Isolde / Karajan, Vickers, Dernesch
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 28858 Release Date: 07/12/2011   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Martin Vantin,  Christa Ludwig,  Helga Dernesch,  Jon Vickers  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Berlin Deutsche Oper Chorus
    Recommendation
    On sale! $46.98
    CD: $39.49
    Low Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    On sale!   $46.98   CD:  $39.49 Add to Cart

    MP3:  $17.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 7.
    Beethoven Edition: Complete Works
    Beethoven Edition: Complete Works
    Label: Brilliant Classics   Catalog: 94052 Release Date: 05/31/2011   Number of Discs: 85
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Marga Schiml,  Peter Schreier,  Helena Doese,  Theo Adam  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert Blomstedt,  Horst Stein,  Gerhard Oskamp,  Bernard Haitink  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Dresden Staatskapelle,  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Berlin Symphony Orchestra  ... 
    Recommendation
    CD: $148.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $148.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 8.
    Bruckner: Geistliche Chorwerke / Eugen Jochum
    Bruckner: Geistliche Chorwerke / Eugen Jochum
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 423127 Release Date: 03/10/2011   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Anton Bruckner
    Performer:  Wolfgang Meyer,  Ernst Haefliger,  Peter Lagger,  Sieglinde Wagner  ... 
    Conductor:  Eugen Jochum
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Chorus,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Berlin Deutsche Oper Chorus  ... 
    Recommendation
    On sale! $49.98
    ArkivCD $41.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $49.98   ArkivCD:  $41.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 9.
    Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg / Karajan, Kollo, Donath
    Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg / Karajan, Kollo, Donath
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 40788 Release Date: 11/09/2010   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Helen Donath,  Kurt Moll,  Ruth Hesse,  Siegfried Vogel  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leipzig Radio Chorus,  Dresden Staatskapelle,  Dresden State Opera Chorus
    Recommendation
    On sale! $46.98
    CD: $40.49
    Low Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    On sale!   $46.98   CD:  $40.49 Add to Cart

    MP3:  $17.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 10.
    Wagner: Siegfried / Karajan, J Thomas, Dernesch, Stolze
    Wagner: Siegfried / Karajan, J Thomas, Dernesch, Stolze
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 415150 Release Date: 06/10/2010   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Oralia Dominguez,  Karl Ridderbusch,  Zoltan Kélémén,  Thomas Stewart  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
    Recommendation
    On sale! $59.98
    ArkivCD $49.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $59.98   ArkivCD:  $49.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 11.
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Karajan, Fischer-Dieskau, Stolze
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Karajan, Fischer-Dieskau, Stolze
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 415141 Release Date: 05/27/2010   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Simone Mangelsdorff,  Erwin Wohlfahrt,  Robert Kerns,  Donald Grobe  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
    Recommendation
    On sale! $41.98
    ArkivCD $39.99
    Special Order
    BUY 
    On sale!   $41.98   ArkivCD:  $39.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 12.
    Wagner: Gotterdammerung / Karajan, Janowitz, Ludwig, Dernesch, Brilioth
    Wagner: Gotterdammerung / Karajan, Janowitz, Ludwig, Dernesch, Brilioth
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 415155 Release Date: 05/27/2010   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Liselotte Rebmann,  Catarina Ligendza,  Lili Chookasian,  Zoltan Kélémén  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
    Recommendation
    On sale! $59.98
    ArkivCD $49.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $59.98   ArkivCD:  $49.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 13.
    Essential Beethoven
    Essential Beethoven
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 95445 Release Date: 02/23/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  James Morris,  Jeremy Menuhin,  Yehudi Menuhin,  Siegfried Rudolf Frese  ... 
    Conductor:  Riccardo Muti,  Kurt Sanderling,  Herbert von Karajan,  Sir Neville Marriner  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Melos Ensemble London,  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
    CD: $12.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $12.99 Add to Cart

    MP3:  $9.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 14.
    Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier / Watson, Popp, Kleiber
    Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier / Watson, Popp, Kleiber
    Label: Orfeo   Catalog: 581083 Release Date: 02/24/2009   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Richard Strauss
    Performer:  Anneliese Waas,  Gerhard Unger,  David Thaw,  Lucia Popp  ... 
    Conductor:  Carlos Kleiber
    Recommendation
    SuperAudio CD: $54.49
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    SuperAudio CD:  $54.49 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 15.
    Verdi: Macbeth / Bohm, Milnes, Ridderbusch, Ludwig, Et Al
    Verdi: Macbeth / Bohm, Milnes, Ridderbusch, Ludwig, Et Al
    Label: Orfeo D'or   Catalog: 766082 Release Date: 01/27/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi
    Performer:  Sherrill Milnes,  Ljubomir Pantscheff,  Harald Pröglhöf,  Karl Ridderbusch  ... 
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Chorus,  Vienna State Opera Orchestra
    CD: $39.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $39.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 16.
    Best Karajan 100
    Best Karajan 100
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 15206 Release Date: 10/28/2008   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Gaetano Donizetti,  Giacomo Puccini  ... 
    Performer:  Maria Callas,  Mstislav Rostropovich,  Elisabeth Grümmer,  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Berlin RIAS Symphony Orchestra,  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $18.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $18.99 Add to Cart

    MP3:  $20.49 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 17.
    Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg / Böhm, Adam, Ridderbusch, Hemsley, Et Al
    Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg / Böhm, Adam, Ridderbusch, Hemsley, Et Al
    Label: Orfeo D'or   Catalog: 753084 Release Date: 10/28/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Hans Franzen,  Thomas Hemsley,  William Johns,  Erich Klaus  ... 
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bayreuth Festival Orchestra,  Bayreuth Festival Chorus
    CD: $74.49
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $74.49 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 18.
    Wagner: Die Meistersinger / Varviso, Bode, Bayreuth Festival
    Wagner: Die Meistersinger / Varviso, Bode, Bayreuth Festival
    Label: Philips Silverline Classics   Catalog: 432573 Release Date: 10/15/2008   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Karl Ridderbusch,  Hans Sotin,  Jean Cox,  Anna Reynolds  ... 
    Conductor:  Silvio Varviso
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bayreuth Festival Orchestra,  Bayreuth Festival Chorus
    On sale! $64.98
    ArkivCD $54.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $64.98   ArkivCD:  $54.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 19.
    Ultimate Wagner - Essential Masterpieces
    Ultimate Wagner - Essential Masterpieces
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 00115870 Release Date: 08/26/2008   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Ruth Hesse,  Gustav Neidlinger,  Dorothea Siebert,  Helga Dernesch  ... 
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm,  Sir Georg Solti,  Silvio Varviso,  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bayreuth Festival Orchestra,  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Bayreuth Festival Chorus
    CD: $17.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $17.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 20.
    Wagner: Lohengrin / Kubelik, King, Janowitz, Jones
    Wagner: Lohengrin / Kubelik, King, Janowitz, Jones
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 449591 Release Date: 08/26/2008   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Gundula Janowitz,  Dame Gwyneth Jones,  Thomas Stewart,  Karl Ridderbusch  ... 
    Conductor:  Rafael Kubelik
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Bavarian Radio Chorus
    Recommendation
    On sale! $44.98
    Import ArkivCD
    $39.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $44.98   ArkivCD:  $39.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 21.
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Herbert Von Karajan
    Wagner: Das Rheingold / Herbert Von Karajan
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 457781 Release Date: 08/12/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Erwin Wohlfahrt,  Robert Kerns,  Gerhard Stolze,  Simone Mangelsdorff  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
    Import CD
    $24.99
    Special Order
    BUY 
    CD:  $24.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 22.
    Wagner: Gotterdammerung / Karajan, Janowitz, Ludwig, Dernesch, Brilioth
    Wagner: Gotterdammerung / Karajan, Janowitz, Ludwig, Dernesch, Brilioth
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 457795 Release Date: 08/12/2008   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Liselotte Rebmann,  Catarina Ligendza,  Lili Chookasian,  Zoltan Kélémén  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
    On sale! $39.98
    Import CD
    $32.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $39.98   CD:  $32.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 23.
    Wagner: Siegfried
    Wagner: Siegfried
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 457790 Release Date: 08/12/2008  
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Karl Ridderbusch,  Thomas Stewart,  Gerhard Stolze,  Jess Thomas
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
    Import CD
    $27.99
    Back Order
    BUY 
    CD:  $27.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 24.
    Wagner: Lohengrin / Karajan, Kollo, Berlin Philharmonic
    Wagner: Lohengrin / Karajan, Kollo, Berlin Philharmonic
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 69314 Release Date: 08/05/2008   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  René Kollo,  Anna Tomowa-Sintow,  Siegmund Nimsgern,  Dunja Vejzovic  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Berlin Deutsche Oper Chorus
    On sale! $49.98
    ArkivCD $44.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $49.98   ArkivCD:  $44.99 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

  • 25.
    Wagner: The Great Operas From The Bayreuth Festival
    Wagner: The Great Operas From The Bayreuth Festival
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001123902 Release Date: 06/17/2008   Number of Discs: 33
    Composer:  Richard Wagner
    Performer:  Sieglinde Wagner,  Marga Höffgen,  Annelies Burmeister,  Dorothea Siebert  ... 
    Conductor:  Karl Böhm,  Silvio Varviso,  Wolfgang Sawallisch,  James Levine
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bayreuth Festival Chorus,  Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
    Recommendation
    CD: $607.49
    Back Order
    BUY 
    CD:  $607.49 Add to Cart

    WISH LIST

1 2 3