Wolfgang Windgasen was born in Switzerland in 1914. His parents, who were both singers, were German. He studied both singing and drama at the Stuttgart Opera, where, as a boy, he worked on the technical staff.
During the Second World War, after a debut as Alvaro in Verdi's La Forza del Destino, he became a member of the Stuttgart company. He remained associated with it for the rest of his career.
His early performances were mainly in the Italian repertory. Then, in 1950, he sang Siegmund in Wagner's Ring cycle, for the first time. His performance led to an invitation to sing the title role in the composer's Parsifal at the first post-war festival in Bayreuth in 1951.
This performance launched a spectacular international career, leading to invitations to Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He continued to make guest performances in the Wagnerian roles at Bayreuth. His voice had all the power and stamina demanded of the Heldentenor, but he also brought a skilful subtlety to his portrayals of Wagnerís beefy heroes.
In 1970 Windgassen also began to produce opera. He was director of opera at Stuttgart from 1972 to his death in 1974.
