Franz Ferenczy by Unknown

Franz Ferenczy, born Friedemann (1835-1881); Hungarian tenor who created the role of Samson at the première of Saint-Saëns’s opera “Samson et Dalila” in 1877 at the “Hoftheater von Weimar” (Germany). The opera was translated into German for this occasion.
Ferenczy studied singing with the famous Francesco Lamperti in Milan (1853/55) and he continued his studies in Vienna (1855/58). In 1859 he made his debut at the “Stadttheater von Graz” as Manrico in “Il Trovatore”. In the following years he made guest appearances at the leading opera houses in Germany, England and Russia. He was engaged at the “Wiener Hofoper” from 1864-1868 and continued to make guest appearances throughout Europe (Milan, Barcelona, London, Hamburg, Karlsruhe etc.). In 1871 he was engaged by the “Hoftheater von Weimar” where he remained until his death in 1881. His brother José Ferenczy (1852-1908) was also a famous tenor and opera singer.