Opera Singer. A dramatic tenor, he is remembered for his Wagnerian interpretations in a number of the world's leading venues. Raised in a small Bulgarian town, he was initially educated as an attorney and, indeed, practiced law for five years while persuing vocal training. After study in Sofia, with a Madame Sarafirova in Moscow, and in Dresden, in the 1950s he performed in operettas and in comprimario roles from the Italian repertoire at small Bulgarian theatres. Gradually increasing the importance of his roles, he expanded into East Germany but remained a relatively minor singer until 1975 when he appeared in Dresden as Tristan from Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde". From then until the end of his career he primarily restricted himself to Wagnerian characters, namely Tristan, the title lead of "Tannhauser", and the principal tenor parts from "The Ring Cycle". Wenkoff was a regular with the Berlin State Opera from 1975 thru 1984, was first heard at Wagner's Bayreuth Festspielhaus in 1976 as Tannhauser, made his 1977 Vienna State Opera (VSO) debut as Max from Weber's "Die Freischutz", and in 1981 bowed at the Metropolitan Opera as Tristan. Though his main base was Vienna, he was praised for his appearances at London's Covent Garden as well as in Cologne, Munich, Buenos Aires, and elsewhere. Heard in 1991 at the VSO as Tristan and at Covent Garden as Siegfried from "Gotterdammerung", he retired that same year and lived out his days in Upper Austria where he died following a protracted illness. His art is preserved on several 'live' and studio recordings and on DVDs of some of his performances.
Opera Singer. A dramatic tenor, he is remembered for his Wagnerian interpretations in a number of the world's leading venues. Raised in a small Bulgarian town, he was initially educated as an attorney and, indeed, practiced law for five years while persuing vocal training. After study in Sofia, with a Madame Sarafirova in Moscow, and in Dresden, in the 1950s he performed in operettas and in comprimario roles from the Italian repertoire at small Bulgarian theatres. Gradually increasing the importance of his roles, he expanded into East Germany but remained a relatively minor singer until 1975 when he appeared in Dresden as Tristan from Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde". From then until the end of his career he primarily restricted himself to Wagnerian characters, namely Tristan, the title lead of "Tannhauser", and the principal tenor parts from "The Ring Cycle". Wenkoff was a regular with the Berlin State Opera from 1975 thru 1984, was first heard at Wagner's Bayreuth Festspielhaus in 1976 as Tannhauser, made his 1977 Vienna State Opera (VSO) debut as Max from Weber's "Die Freischutz", and in 1981 bowed at the Metropolitan Opera as Tristan. Though his main base was Vienna, he was praised for his appearances at London's Covent Garden as well as in Cologne, Munich, Buenos Aires, and elsewhere. Heard in 1991 at the VSO as Tristan and at Covent Garden as Siegfried from "Gotterdammerung", he retired that same year and lived out his days in Upper Austria where he died following a protracted illness. His art is preserved on several 'live' and studio recordings and on DVDs of some of his performances.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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