On the flagpole in the courtyard of the 13th century stone barn, the black, red and gold stripes of Germany flew above the red hammer and sickle of the Soviet Union. It was a tribute to German Baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, by all odds the world's finest lieder singer, who was to perform in the barn during the Touraine Festival in central France. It was also an act of self-effacement by Fischer-Dieskau's accompanist, Soviet Pianist Sviatoslav Richter, who has made the rustic, four-year-old festival his own showcase.
Having performed with him before, Fischer-Dieskau was already acquainted with Richter's modesty. But even he was...
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