News
16.03.2026
Obituary: Hermann Kronz
The Richard Wagner Society of Saarland mourns the loss of its former chairman (1991-2014) and honorary chairman, Hermann Kronz, who passed away on February 11th of this year at the age of 95. His passion was music, especially that of Richard Wagner, and he became a member of the Saarland Richard Wagner Society at an early age. He quickly assumed an important role on the board under the chairmanship of the legendary Otti Maurer, who re-established the society in 1956.
In 1979, Hermann Kronz played a key role in organizing and hosting the Richard Wagner Society's national conference in Saarbrücken, a social event that brought together almost the entire Wagner clan of the time in the state capital, including Winifred Wagner and her children Friedelind, Verena, and Wolfgang. The conference concluded with a gala concert in the Congress Hall featuring soloists Birgit Nilson and Siegmund Nimsgern, conducted by Siegfried Köhler. In the following years, Hermann Kronz continued to prove himself an outstanding organizer of large events. To mark the association's 35th anniversary in 1991, another gala concert was held, this time with vocal soloists Anne Evans and Siegmund Nimsgern. Wolfgang Wagner was once again the guest of honor.
For the association's 40th anniversary in 1996, another gala concert was organized at Hermann Kronz's initiative, featuring the then-nascent international singer Evelyn Herlitzius. The keynote address was given by none other than Joachim Kaiser on the topic of "Wagner and Judaism." In 2000, the Saarland Association, once again with the presence of the then-festival director Wolfgang Wagner, organized the "International Singing Competition for Wagnerian Voices," for the first time in Germany, after it had previously been held twice in Strasbourg. This event undoubtedly marked the pinnacle of Hermann Kronz's work for the association.
Beyond all these celebratory occasions, Hermann Kronz was deeply committed to nurturing young musical talent. During his tenure as chairman, the association enabled nearly 150 singers and instrumentalists to attend the Bayreuth Festival as scholarship recipients. All of this ultimately led to his being awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of the Saar University of Music. His contributions became widely recognized with the awarding of the Saarland Order of Merit, albeit rather belatedly. When I was elected chairman in 2014, I continued to benefit from his experience for a long time. One could reflect with him and rely on him completely. I am grateful that he accompanied me for so long in my personal life, as well as in the Richard Wagner Association of Saarland.
Dr Wolfgang Schug, Chairman of the Richard Wagner Association of Saarland
In 1979, Hermann Kronz played a key role in organizing and hosting the Richard Wagner Society's national conference in Saarbrücken, a social event that brought together almost the entire Wagner clan of the time in the state capital, including Winifred Wagner and her children Friedelind, Verena, and Wolfgang. The conference concluded with a gala concert in the Congress Hall featuring soloists Birgit Nilson and Siegmund Nimsgern, conducted by Siegfried Köhler. In the following years, Hermann Kronz continued to prove himself an outstanding organizer of large events. To mark the association's 35th anniversary in 1991, another gala concert was held, this time with vocal soloists Anne Evans and Siegmund Nimsgern. Wolfgang Wagner was once again the guest of honor.
For the association's 40th anniversary in 1996, another gala concert was organized at Hermann Kronz's initiative, featuring the then-nascent international singer Evelyn Herlitzius. The keynote address was given by none other than Joachim Kaiser on the topic of "Wagner and Judaism." In 2000, the Saarland Association, once again with the presence of the then-festival director Wolfgang Wagner, organized the "International Singing Competition for Wagnerian Voices," for the first time in Germany, after it had previously been held twice in Strasbourg. This event undoubtedly marked the pinnacle of Hermann Kronz's work for the association.
Beyond all these celebratory occasions, Hermann Kronz was deeply committed to nurturing young musical talent. During his tenure as chairman, the association enabled nearly 150 singers and instrumentalists to attend the Bayreuth Festival as scholarship recipients. All of this ultimately led to his being awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of the Saar University of Music. His contributions became widely recognized with the awarding of the Saarland Order of Merit, albeit rather belatedly. When I was elected chairman in 2014, I continued to benefit from his experience for a long time. One could reflect with him and rely on him completely. I am grateful that he accompanied me for so long in my personal life, as well as in the Richard Wagner Association of Saarland.
Dr Wolfgang Schug, Chairman of the Richard Wagner Association of Saarland