Günter Wewel (German:[ˈɡʏntɐˈveːvl̩]; 29 November 1934 – 9 May 2023) was a German operatic bass and television presenter. Based at the Opernhaus Dortmund for decades, he performed 80 roles in Germany and Europe. He is known for presenting the television series Kein schöner Land, with more than 150 episodes from 1989 to 2007, which portrays regions in Europe, their landscape, people and folklore, the first such show filmed at the locations.
Early life
Wewel was born in Arnsberg. After school, he first trained as a civil servant with the Deutsche Bundesbahn.[1][2][3] He then studied voice, especially opera, at the Dortmund Conservatory. He studied further with Rudolf Watzke in Dortmund and Johannes Kobeck in Vienna.[1]
From 1989 to 2007, Wewel was the presenter of the musical entertainment television programme Kein schöner Land.[1][5][6] The series ran at irregular intervals, with more than 150 episodes in total, and was produced by Saarländischer Rundfunk. Wewel took his guests to different regions of Europe and presented people, landscapes and customs. The musical part of the programme ranged from folklore typical for the region to hits, folk music and light classical music, to which Wewel often contributed songs.[5][6] It was the first music programme on television filmed at the original locations and not in the studio.[3][6]
In addition to his opera work, he also recorded numerous Volkslieder.[3]
Personal life and death
He was married to Gisela Wewel from 1959; she died on 20 September 2014 at age 76.[5]
