The German baritone Josef Metternich (1915-2005) sang with the Cologne and Bonn choruses, before making his solo debut in 1941 with the Berlin State Opera in Lohengrin. His career was delayed by the war, it really took off in 1946, when he was able to return to the opera stage and was re-engaged at the “Berlin Städtische Oper”, where he appeared in roles such as Jago, Alfio, Simone, Pizarro, Escamillo, Figaro (Rossini), and Amonasro.

Metternich made his debut at Covent Garden in 1951, as Flying Dutchman. From 1952 until 1959 he was a member of the Vienna State Opera and appeared at La Scala, the Grand Opéra of Paris and the Edinburgh Festival. From 1953 until 1956 hejoined the Met, where he debuted as Don Carlos (La forza del destino).