He appeared as a guest around Europe and performed at the Salzburg Festival both in concert and on stage, taking part in the world premiere of Gottfried von Einem's Dantons Tod there in 1947.
He performed in early complete opera recordings such as Der Rosenkavalier by Strauss with Robert Heger in 1933, and Mozart's Die Zauberflöte with Arturo Toscanini in 1937.
[2] As a comprimario actor, he became a mainstay of the Vienna State Opera ensemble, also taking on very minor roles such as servant, doorman, sailor, tailor, messenger, executioner, hotel manager and other service providers, the First prisoner in Beethoven's Fidelio and the First armoured man in Die Zauberflöte.
[1] In 1947, he took part in the world premiere of Gottfried von Einem's Dantons Tod there,[1] conducted by Ferenc Fricsay and alongside Paul Schöffler in the title role, Julius Patzak as Desmoulins, and Maria Cebotari as Lucile.
[1] Wernigk appeared in many roles at the Vienna State Opera, including:[2] Beethoven: Berg: Bizet: Giordano: Humperdinck: Korngold: Lehár: Lortzing: Meyerbeer: Mozart: Nicolai: Offenbach: Pfitzner: Puccini: Johann Strauß II.