Hans Heinz Bollmann

German tenor Hans Heinz Bollmann (1889-1974) was a German opera and operetta star during the 1920s and 1930s. Bollmann also performed in Paris, London, and the USA. He was especially very popular as a chamber singer in Germany. In the 1930s, Bollmann was the star of such extremely successful Operetta films as Die Lindenwirtin (1930) with Käthe Dorsch, Der Bettelstudent (1930) with Jarmila Novotná, and Friederike (1932) with Mady Christians.


German postcard by Ross Verlag, no. 6480/1, 1931-1932. Photo: Edith Barakovich, Wien


Austrian postcard by Iris Verlag, no. 6055. Photo: Felsom-Film / Sascha-Film.

A highly successful musical career that spanned decades

Hans Heinz Bollmann was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1889. Initially intending to become a dentist, Bollmann pivoted to a highly successful musical career that spanned decades and included international guest appearances and a notable filmography.

His musical journey began with studies in Hamburg and further vocal perfection under Enrico Rosario in Milan. He made his stage debut during the 1912-1913 season at the Stadttheater in Bochum.

After serving during the First World War, he resumed his career, singing at the Stadttheater of Nuremberg in 1919 and joining the Hamburg Opera from 1921 to 1925. He then moved to the Berlin State Opera, later focusing on operetta in various Berlin theatres, including the Theater des Westens and the Admiralspalast.

His repertoire was extensive, encompassing roles like Don José in 'Carmen', Max in 'Der Freischütz', Rodolfo in 'La Bohème', and Count Almaviva in 'The Barber of Seville'.

A renowned radio star in the 1930s, Bollmann also made numerous gramophone recordings for labels such as Electrola, Homocord, and Odeon. He was married twice and was the father of the actress Hannelore Bollmann.


German song text postcard by Ross Verlag, no. 123/3. Photo: Felsom-Film. Text: Bruno Hardt-Warden. Hans Heinz Bollmann and Käthe Dorsch in Die Lindenwirtin / The Inn at the Rhine (Franz Seitz Sr., 1930).


Austrian postcard by Iris Verlag, no. 6161. Photo: Tobis / Lux-Film-Verleih / Aafa. Hans Heinz Bollmann and Jarmila Novotna in Der Bettelstudent / The Beggar Student (Victor Janson, 1931).

Music always remained his primary passion

The advent of sound film provided another avenue for Hans Heinz Bollmann's popularity, though music always remained his primary passion. His film appearances often featured him as a singer, capitalising on his vocal talents.

His film roles include Dr. Heinz Trieborn in Die Lindenwirtin / The Inn at the Rhine (Franz Seitz Sr., 1930) and Symon in Der Bettelstudent / The Beggar Student (Hans Schwarz, 1931).

He also appeared as Johann Wolfgang Goethe in Friederike / Frederica (Fritz Friedmann-Frederich, 1932), Harald in Frasquita (Carl Hoffmann, 1934), and as the singer in Der König lächelt – Paris lacht (Henri Diamant-Berger, Karel Lamač, 1936).

Bollmann's later film work included the role of Orgass in Die Dubarry (Georg Wildhagen, Arthur Maria Rabenalt, 1951). He made his final stage appearance in 1953 in a production of Lehár's 'The Merry Widow' at the new Hamburg Operettenhaus.

Hans Heinz Bollmann died in 1974 in his native town of Hamburg. He was 84.


German postcard by Ross Verlag, no. 128/3. Photo: Aaafa Film. Hans Heinz Bollmann as Symon and Fritz Schulz as Jan Der Bettelstudent / The Beggar Student (Victor Janson, 1931).


German postcard by Ross Verlag, no. 128/4. Photo: Aafa Film. Jarmila Novotná, Paul Westermeier and Hans Heinz Bollmann in Der Bettelstudent / The Beggar Student (Victor Janson, 1931).


German postcard by Ross Verlag, no. 166/2. Photo: Indra-Film. Mady Christians and Hans Heinz Bollmann in Friederike / Frederica (Fritz Friedmann-Frederich, 1932).

Sources: Ashot Arakelyan (Forgotten Opera Singers), Wikipedia (German and English) and IMDb.