Obituary: Gunther Emmerlich: Skat, Swing and Sauerbraten

He was an example of solid vocal training in the GDR: Gunther Emmerlich. From 1967 to 1972 he studied opera at the Franz Liszt University of Music in Weimar and became a master student of the famous Russian-Armenian baritone Pawel Gerasimowitsch Lisizian. The early orphan made his first public appearances – his father died in the war and his mother died of a nervous disease – while he was still a student, but as a jazz singer on the GDR television program “Königsbank”. Also proof of the diversity of musical training in the East German state, but above all of Gunther Emmerlich’s enormous talent, vocal range and his openness to all genres. However, the interpretation of operetta and musical classics would become his trademark.

After obtaining a diploma in singing (an academic degree unknown in the Federal Republic), he became a member of the Dresden Semperoper ensemble in 1972, where he was a member for two decades. In the mid-80s he founded the Semper House Band with other musicians, primarily the Staatskapelle Dresden, which played Dixieland, jazz and swing and of course played its way into the hearts of the audience at the popular Dixieland festival in the Elbe metropolis. Emmerlich also appeared in numerous entertainment programs on GDR television, including regularly on “Kessel Buntes,” and was even the host of his own program called “Showkolade.” He also celebrated successes in unified Germany, for example at the Schwetzingen and Bad Hersfeld Festivals. A highlight in his career was a joint performance with the American singer Deborah Sasson at New York’s Carnegie Hall. His passions included skat and sauerbraten.

Emmerlich was also fond of church music throughout his life. On December 17th he played a Christmas concert in the St. John’s Church in Lößnitz, Saxony. Two days later he died of heart failure in his home in Dresden at the age of 79.

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