Walter Kirchhoff

Walter Kirchhoff as Faust in 1908

Walter Kirchhoff, born Walther August Kirchhoff (17 March 1879, Berlin – 29 March 1951, Wiesbaden), was a German tenor who had an active international career in operas and concerts from 1906 through 1934. Prior to his career as an opera singer, he was a military officer in the cavalry division of the Imperial German Army. He later served Wilhelm, German Crown Prince as an adjutant during World War I while working as a resident artist at the Berlin Royal Opera where he had a lengthy performance career that spanned from 1906 through 1932. Kirchoff was particularly celebrated for his performances in the operas of Richard Wagner. He sang leading roles at several prominent opera houses and festivals globally including the Bayreuth Festival, the Royal Opera House in London, the Teatro Colón, and the Vienna State Opera. From 1926 to 1931 he was a leading tenor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He finished his career as a resident artist at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1933–1934. After retiring from the stage, he taught on the voice faculty of the Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory in Berlin, and was also active in that city as a theatre director and talent agent.