Sontheim, Heinrich, 1820-1912

Heinrich Sontheim (Honas Baer Sontheimer) was born in Jebenhausen, Germany, on February 3, 1820. His father Moses Loeb and uncle Judas Wolf changed their names to Sontheimer in 1818 and Heinrich changed it again to Sontheim at the very beginning of his career. Heinrich Sontheim had ten siblings. His parents owned an inn in Jebenhausen. His talent for music and singing was discovered early and supported by Heinrich Sontheim's father from early age. Nevertheless his father sent him to serve an apprenticeship as a wagon-maker, which Heinrich didn't complete. With the assistance of a minister of Wuerttemberg, Vellnagel, Sontheim came to Stuttgart where he started to improve his singing through lessons. Although Heinrich Sontheim's father didn’t consider a career as a singer for his son he agreed to his commitment.

Heinrich Sontheim became a successful tenor in various opera houses and court theaters. He was married to Nanny Sontheim. From 1839 to 1850 Heinrich Sontheim had an engagement in Karlsruhe. Afterwards he was employed at the Württembergisches Hoftheater in Stuttgart (Court Theater of the Kingdom of Wuerttemberg) from 1851 to 1872. Meanwhile, Heinrich Sontheim had several guest performances, e.g. in Berlin and Karlsruhe. In 1872 he decided to retire but after two years Heinrich Sontheim started to sing again. Until 1882 Sontheim had guest performances in several cities, e.g. Vienna. In 1889 Heinrich Sontheim celebrated his 50th jubilee as a singer. In 1900 Sontheim performed the last time on the occasion of his 80th birthday. He died on August 2, 1912.

From the guide to the Heinrich Sontheim Collection, 1840-1965, bulk 1840-1912, (Leo Baeck Institute)