Volker Heißmann – Comedian with Style, Singer with Soul, Theater Maker with Integrity

From Fürth Talent to Influential Stage Artist: The Multifaceted Music Career and Stage Presence of Volker Heißmann

Volker Heißmann, born on March 10, 1969, in Fürth, is one of the defining figures in the Franconian and Bavarian stage scene. As a comedian, actor, singer, and theater director, he has consistently advanced his artistic development while also shaping cultural institutions. He gained national recognition in the brilliant duo with Martin Rassau, legendary as "Waltraud & Mariechen." Concurrently, Heißmann maintains a serious singing career that spans operetta, musical, and big-band swing – a rare combination of craftsmanship in humor, vocal artistry, and style-conscious stage presence. His artistic authority stems from countless live productions, TV recordings, and albums that showcase his knack for arrangement, timing, and tonality.

Early Years and Artistic Development: The Path to the Stage

Heißmann took his first steps towards the stage at a young age. After school in Fürth and a career training in the hotel sector, early performances – initially with Marcel Gasde – led him into the regional cabaret scene. In 1990, he began a collaboration with Martin Rassau that continues to this day: from spontaneous school stage moments emerged a professional music career as a comedy and theater duo. In 1991, Heißmann & Rassau opened their own small stage in Nuremberg; in 1998 came the major achievement: the founding of the Comödie Fürth in the historic Berolzheimerianum, now one of the most important private theater venues in Southern Germany. This entrepreneurial initiative showcases Heißmann's artistic imprint beyond the stage: building repertoire, producing shows, engaging the audience – artistic development as institution building. (Source: Wikipedia; Comödie Fürth)

Breakthrough on the TV Stage: "Waltraud & Mariechen," Boulevard Comedies, and BR Primetime

With "Fastnacht in Franken" (Bavarian Broadcasting), Heißmann & Rassau became cult figures. Since 1997, the flamboyant widow duo "Waltraud & Mariechen" has been a fixed highlight of the TV show; later, regular recordings of boulevard comedies followed from the home base Comödie Fürth. Heißmann also presented his own formats and appeared on BR shows, such as "Auf geht's," "Ringlstetter," or special episodes of the Heißmann & Rassau series. Recently, TV productions have remained prominent – from "Franken für Anfänger" to new episodes in 2024/2025. This continuous output demonstrates dramatic security, precise character work, and the ability to translate regional humor into contemporary sketches. (Sources: Wikipedia; ARD Mediathek)

The Voice as a Second Pillar: Operetta, Musical, Big Band

Alongside comedy, Heißmann's vocal artistry is a core aspect of his brand. At the Staatstheater Nuremberg, he impressed in operetta and musical – from the court servant Frosch in "Die Fledermaus" to Alfred P. Doolittle in "My Fair Lady." In the Comödie Fürth, he shaped musical productions like "La Cage aux Folles" and jazz operetta adaptations. His albums document his vocal range: "Volker Heißmann: Operetten & Musical Melodien" (2004) delves into the classical repertoire; "Davon geht die Welt nicht unter!" (2014, with Thilo Wolf Big Band) blends German entertainment music with contemporary big-band arrangements. With "Volker Heißmann sings Udo Jürgens (Live from the Comödie Fürth)" (2023), he underscores his stylistic sovereignty in a crossover of chanson, schlager, jazz, and show orchestra. In these projects, careful composition and arrangement meet a voice that intentionally highlights phrasing and text. (Sources: Apple Music)

Discography, Productions, and Critical Reception

The discography focuses on Heißmann's singing as a soloist and in cooperation with large ensembles. Key milestones include: "Operetten & Musical Melodien" (2004, Streetlife Studios), "Davon geht die Welt nicht unter!" (2014, Comödie Restaurationsbetrieb GmbH), and the live album "Volker Heißmann sings Udo Jürgens" (2023, Wavehouse Entertainment) with arrangements by Thilo Wolf, Michael Flügel, and Christoph Müller, among others. The press praised the energetic arrangements and the "crisp drive" that also appeals to jazz listeners – an indication of how cleverly Heißmann's team reinterprets Udo Jürgens' classics for big band and voice. In addition to audio releases, his film comedy work stands out: The Franconian "Dinner for One" remake "Essn für ann" is among the popular TV specials, recently available during the transition to 2024/2025. Heißmann's work thus presents a coherent concept of live shows, studio aesthetics, and TV documentation. (Sources: Apple Music; jpc; ARD Mediathek)

Current Projects 2024/2025: Tours, Benefits & Television

Among Heißmann's current projects is the continuing successful concert series "Volker Heißmann sings Udo Jürgens" – live with the 14-piece Thilo Wolf Big Band. Between 2024 and 2026, performances will take place in numerous cities; local promoters and media announce the shows as gala evenings between homage, anecdote, and entertainer craftsmanship. These include benefit formats, such as in Würzburg, as well as new TV recordings and talk show appearances on Bavarian Broadcasting. The ongoing program at Comödie Fürth and duo shows like "Sketchparade" further demonstrate the high production density in his house. Heißmann thus combines repertoire maintenance, touring operation, and media presence – a professionalization that guarantees artistic continuity and closeness to the audience. (Sources: heissmann-rassau.com; Main-Post; Stadt Fürth; Lions Club Würzburg; ARD Mediathek)

Style, Genre, and Musical Signature

As a singer, Heißmann combines elegant crooning, clear diction, and stage presence. In operetta and musical, he utilizes text-centered phrasing, while in the big band, he emphasizes swing pulse, dynamic arcs, and pointed articulation. His programs display dramaturgical intuition: setlists alternate between iconic hits ("Ein ehrenwertes Haus," "Was wichtig ist") and finely curated deep cuts; the arrangements adjust tonality, tempos, and instrumentation colors so that voice and orchestra merge homogeneously. This understanding of composition and arrangement makes his albums more than nostalgia-driven formats – they reinterpret repertoire without blurring the character of the originals. In comedy, timing, role shifts, and regional dialect are his main tools; musically, this corresponds with precise accentuation and a sensitivity for pauses and punchlines in singing. (Sources: Apple Music; jpc; ARD Mediathek)

Cultural Influence: Franconian Regional Dialect, Tradition Maintenance, and Institutional Work

Heißmann's significance extends beyond the stage. The duo with Martin Rassau has popularized Franconian humor far beyond the region – the regional dialect serves not as a folklore gag but as a distinct form of expression with its own rhythm and wordplay. The Comödie Fürth also functions as a cultural venue where boulevard, cabaret, musicals, and jazz operetta coexist; through this, Heißmann fosters cultural continuity, supports ensemble work, and provides the audience with easy access to theatrical forms. His community-oriented engagements, as well as his singing at church and benefit concerts, demonstrate how he conceptualizes entertainment art and societal responsibility together. (Sources: Wikipedia; Sonntagsblatt)

Awards and Recognitions

For his contributions, Heißmann has received numerous honors – from the Cultural Promotion Prize of the City of Fürth to the Bavarian Dialect Prize and the Bavarian Order of Merit (2018). In 2024, he received the Karl-Valentin-Order (alongside Martin Rassau) and the Schlappmaulorden from the Kitzingen Carnival Society. These awards honor his authority as a stage artist, his loyalty to the Franconian idiom, and his ability to connect humor with integrity. (Sources: Wikipedia; Narrhalla; Die Zeit; WELT)

Sports Official with a Heart for the "Kleeblatt"

Since November 17, 2022, Volker Heißmann has been the president of SpVgg Greuther Fürth – after years as vice president. His election to the club's leader marks his strong profile as an integrating personality from Fürth. In interviews, he emphasizes the connection to the city and the club; local and regional media document the members' meeting and the club's economic situation. This role complements his artistic profile: team spirit, strategic thinking, and public accountability. (Sources: Wikipedia; Nordbayern/Nürnberger Nachrichten; dpa/Die Zeit; tz/Münchner Merkur; MZ)

Significant Roles and Theater Stations

Notable theater roles include Frosch (Die Fledermaus), Alfred P. Doolittle (My Fair Lady), Leopold (Im weißen Rössl), and Zaza (La Cage aux Folles). In addition, Heißmann has led his own shows, such as "So wie ich bin" (TV New Year Special), and moderated BR formats. This range demonstrates his expertise in singing, performance, and production – from classic operetta to TV show, from boulevard to jazz operetta. (Source: Wikipedia)

Conclusion: Why Experience Volker Heißmann Live?

Volker Heißmann unites entertainment instinct, musical discipline, and culturally formative energy. As a singer, he interprets great German-language songbooks with respect and his own touch; as a comedian, he draws from language, rhythm, and physical comedy; as a theater director, he reliably builds a vibrant institution. Those who attend his concerts with the Thilo Wolf Big Band will learn how modern big-band production, arrangement artistry, and charismatic voice bring classics to new life. Those who experience his comedy will feel how precise punchlines and character work unleash collective laughter. In short: an artist who maintains tradition, renews formats, and excites audiences – best experienced live.

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Volker Heißmann