Franz Betz (1835-1900); German bass-baritone who created the role of Hans Sachs in Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" (1868 /Munich) and the role of The Wanderer in Wagner's "Siegfried" (1876/Bayreuth).

He studied singing at Karlsruhe and in 1856 he made his debut at the Hoftheater von Hanover as the King's Herald in Wagner's "Lohengrin". In the following years he sang at various provincial German Opera Houses (Altenburg, Gera, Bernburg, Köthen and Rostock). In 1859 he made a guest appearance at the Hofoper Berlin as Don Carlo in Verdi's "Ernani". His succes led to a permanent contract with this leading German Opera House. He remained there until the end of his career in 1897; at his retirement he received the title of "Honorary Member". He became one of Wagner's most valued singers. In 1868 he created the role of Hans Sachs in Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" in Munich. He sang the role more than a hundred times and was closely identified with the character. He also sang Wotan in "Das Rheingold" and "Die Walküre" and The Wanderer in "Siegfried" for the first complete performance of Der Ring des Nibelungen (Bayreuth Festspielhaus, 1876). In 1876 on the occasion of the opening of the Bayreauth Festspielhaus he was one of the four soloists in the performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with Richard Wagner as conductor.

On the photo he is seen as Wanderer in Wagner's "Siegfried", the role he created in 1876 during the first Ring Cycle at Bayreuth.