German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff is calling an end to his singing career.<\/p>\n
It’s always such mixed news: It’s wonderful when a performer anticipates when it’s time to go; but it’s sad that the time is over. He will continue to be a fine teacher and art song advocate.<\/p>\n
Mr. Quasthoff says, \u201cAfter almost 40 years, I have decided to retire from concert life. My\u00a0health no longer allows me to live up to the high standard that I have always set for my art and myself. I owe a lot to this wonderful profession and leave without a trace of bitterness.
\nOn the contrary, I am looking forward to the new challenges that will now enter my life. I
\nwould like to thank all my fellow musicians and colleagues, with whom I stood together on
\nstage, all the organizers, and my audience for their loyalty.\u201d
\nMr. Quasthoff will continue to devote himself intensively to the next generation of singers by
\nteaching, as before, at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin, as well as at
\ninternational master classes. He has dedicated himself intensely to the Lied genre for years.
\nThis devotion inspired him to launch the \u201cDas Lied\u201d international song competition in 2009,
\nover which he will continue to preside as artistic director. In addition, he will be seen on stage
\nas a speaker, at readings, and in the new talk show series, \u201cThomas Quasthoffs
\nNachtgespr\u00e4che\u201d at the Konzerthaus Berlin.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nHere’s a clip of Quasthoff offering a Schubert masterclass:<\/p>\n