RUDI NEITZ, bass, born 28 December 1934, died 6 February 2002
During the last 50 years of his life, Rudi Neitz became a household name in South Africa and considered as a national treasure.
After completing his school years in Brits (near Pretoria), he obtained the THOD degree and a Teacher's Diploma at the Teachers' College of Pretoria. He subsequently obtained B.A. and M.A. (German) degrees at the University of Pretoria, where he was later appointed as a lecturer and acting Head of the German Department. He was honoured with the Dux Docens Award and a Pro Munere Medallion for his outstanding educational services at the University of Pretoria.
During his youth and student years he already proved himself as an outstanding singer. Apart from his great love for the German Lied, he appeared in countless productions of opera and operetta - amongst others in the leading bass roles in Die Zauberflöte, Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Aida, Nabucco, La Boheme, Norma, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Peter Grimes. He appeared with conductors such as Alun Francis, Nicola Samala and Franco Ferraris. He was invited to perform at the Vienna State Opera, but he declined the offer. Rudi also performed regularly in oratorios such as teh St Matthew Passion, Messiah, Die Schöpfung, Verdi's Requiem and Mozart's Coronation Mass.
Rudi was married to Bakkies Barnard, with whom he had two sons - Erdi and Werner.
