https://festivalneueslied.com/kuenstler daily 0.75 2025-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1732484346353-5KK1YQSOWXTV07JMPXAH/Christine+Bam+Fotograf+Nelis+Engelbrecht.jpg Künstler 2024 - Christine Bam | Mezzosopranistin Christine Bam schloss ihren Bachelor of Music (Performance) an der Universität Stellenbosch und ein postgraduales Diplom (Oper) an der Universität Kapstadt, beide mit Auszeichnung (cum laude), ab. Sie ist Rupert-Musikstiftungsstipendiatin, Mitglied der Golden Key Society für akademische Exzellenz und Gewinnerin des Mabel Quick-Stipendienwettbewerbs. Sie studierte bei Dr. Magdalena Oosthuizen, Hanna van Schalkwyk, Violina Anguelov-Hobbs und Maestro Jeremy Silver. 2018 trat Christine Bam als festes Mitglied dem Cape Town Opera Chorus bei. Ihr umfangreiches Repertoire umfasst Maria Stuarda, I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Orphée et Eurydice, La Bohème, La Traviata, The Pearl Fishers, Tosca, The Messiah und Mozarts Requiem. Konzertreisen führten sie nach Europa, Südkorea, Deutschland und in die Niederlande, wobei Porgy and Bess in der Alten Oper Frankfurt ein Höhepunkt war. Christine Bam erhielt zahlreiche Auszeichnungen, darunter jeweils den ersten Preis bei der renommierten Schock Singing Competition (2023) und dem Fine Music Radio Bursary-Wettbewerb (2023). Im Jahr 2022 belegte sie den zweiten Platz und gewann den Publikumspreis beim Aviva Pelham Operettenwettbewerb, trat als Young Artist bei der Songmakers’ Guild auf und erzielte den zweiten Platz im Neues Lied Art Song Duo Wettbewerb. Zudem war sie Finalistin beim Fine Music Radio Bursary-Wettbewerb. Weitere bemerkenswerte Erfolge umfassen den dritten Platz und den Preis für die beste Interpretation eines südafrikanischen Werkes im Neues Lied Art Song Duo Wettbewerb 2023. Zu ihren bedeutenden Rollen gehören Bradamante in Alcina, Anna Staal in Sara Baartman – the Opera, Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffmann und Flora in La Traviata. Seit März 2024 ist Bam festes Mitglied des Opernchors des Saarländischen Staatstheaters in Saarbrücken. Zu ihren jüngsten Aufführungen gehören Anatevka, Aida, die Uraufführung von SITA und Beethovens 9. Symphonie. Die kommende Saison umfasst Sweeney Todd, Savitri, Turandot und Die Zauberflöte. (Foto: Nelis Engelbrecht) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1668660809476-FQHSGQJQ7QAX7H9ZS75X/image-asset.jpeg Künstler 2024 - Minette du Toit-Pearce | Mezzosopran Minette du Toit-Pearce begann ihre Gesangsausbildung unter der Leitung von Dr. Magdalena Oosthuizen an der Universität Stellenbosch, wo sie die Abschlüsse BMus, BMus (Hons) und MMus (Cum Laude) mit Spezialisierung auf Gesang erhielt. Sie schloss das UNISA Teacher's und Performance Licentiates (beide Cum Laude) ab und erhielt das DJ Roode Overseas Scholarship sowie die Gertrude-Buchanan- und SAMRO-Preise der UNISA International Scholarship Competition. Sie war die Gesamtgewinnerin des ATKV-Musiq-Wettbewerbs sowie Gewinnerin in der Kategorie Gesang und des Mozart-Preises. Beim internationalen SAMRO-Gesangsstipendienwettbewerb errang sie den zweiten Platz und gewann den Preis für die beste Darbietung eines vorgeschriebenen Werks. Sie war Finalistin beim Internationalen Gesangswettbewerb der Kohn-Stiftung in der Wigmore Hall in London und Finalistin beim Meistersinger-Wettbewerb des American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz. Minette tritt regelmäßig als Solistin in Oratorien und Liederabenden auf und ist eine anerkannte Liedsängerin im In- und Ausland. Sie ist mit allen großen Orchestern Südafrikas aufgetreten, vor allem mit dem Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra und dem Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. 2018 gab sie ihr Debüt in den USA als Solistin in Beethovens 9. Sinfonie mit dem Minnesota Orchestra in Minneapolis und begleitete das Orchester auf seiner Südafrikatournee im Rahmen der "Mandela 100"-Feierlichkeiten. Minette ist bei vielen großen Kunstfestivals in Südafrika aufgetreten und wurde für drei Kyknet Fiësta Awards nominiert sowie mit einer WoordTROfee für "100 Jaar van die Afrikaanse Lied" ausgezeichnet. Minette ist eine erfahrene Jurorin bei Eisteddfods und Gesangswettbewerben in Südafrika, reist aber auch außerhalb Südafrikas nach Namibia, Mosambik und Simbabwe, um als Jurorin zu arbeiten, zu unterrichten und aufzutreten. Sie leitet den Fachbereich Gesang an der Universität Stellenbosch und ist Senior Lecturer in Gesang. Derzeit arbeitet sie an ihrer Promotion in Musik. (Foto: Antonia Steyn) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1732484346353-5KK1YQSOWXTV07JMPXAH/Christine+Bam+Fotograf+Nelis+Engelbrecht.jpg Künstler 2024 - Christine Bam | Mezzosopranistin Christine Bam schloss ihren Bachelor of Music (Performance) an der Universität Stellenbosch und ein postgraduales Diplom (Oper) an der Universität Kapstadt, beide mit Auszeichnung (cum laude), ab. Sie ist Rupert-Musikstiftungsstipendiatin, Mitglied der Golden Key Society für akademische Exzellenz und Gewinnerin des Mabel Quick-Stipendienwettbewerbs. Sie studierte bei Dr. Magdalena Oosthuizen, Hanna van Schalkwyk, Violina Anguelov-Hobbs und Maestro Jeremy Silver. 2018 trat Christine Bam als festes Mitglied dem Cape Town Opera Chorus bei. Ihr umfangreiches Repertoire umfasst Maria Stuarda, I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Orphée et Eurydice, La Bohème, La Traviata, The Pearl Fishers, Tosca, The Messiah und Mozarts Requiem. Konzertreisen führten sie nach Europa, Südkorea, Deutschland und in die Niederlande, wobei Porgy and Bess in der Alten Oper Frankfurt ein Höhepunkt war. Christine Bam erhielt zahlreiche Auszeichnungen, darunter jeweils den ersten Preis bei der renommierten Schock Singing Competition (2023) und dem Fine Music Radio Bursary-Wettbewerb (2023). Im Jahr 2022 belegte sie den zweiten Platz und gewann den Publikumspreis beim Aviva Pelham Operettenwettbewerb, trat als Young Artist bei der Songmakers’ Guild auf und erzielte den zweiten Platz im Neues Lied Art Song Duo Wettbewerb. Zudem war sie Finalistin beim Fine Music Radio Bursary-Wettbewerb. Weitere bemerkenswerte Erfolge umfassen den dritten Platz und den Preis für die beste Interpretation eines südafrikanischen Werkes im Neues Lied Art Song Duo Wettbewerb 2023. Zu ihren bedeutenden Rollen gehören Bradamante in Alcina, Anna Staal in Sara Baartman – the Opera, Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffmann und Flora in La Traviata. Seit März 2024 ist Bam festes Mitglied des Opernchors des Saarländischen Staatstheaters in Saarbrücken. Zu ihren jüngsten Aufführungen gehören Anatevka, Aida, die Uraufführung von SITA und Beethovens 9. Symphonie. Die kommende Saison umfasst Sweeney Todd, Savitri, Turandot und Die Zauberflöte. (Foto: Nelis Engelbrecht) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541015948150-NR0QLK7UB7LWGCY4V3MV/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1732049365710-5S4C2I9T1ZXODIYUC9V2/Peter+David.jpg Künstler 2024 - Péter Dávid | Violine Péter Dávid wurde 1987 in Ungarn geboren. Im Alter von 12 Jahren wurde er Frühstudent der bayerischen Frühförderklasse bei Prof. Conrad v. d. Goltz. Sein künstlerisches Diplom schloss er mit Auszeichnung in Würzburg bei Prof. Herwig Zack ab und absolvierte daraufhin das Meisterklassendiplom. Er erhielt Unterricht bei renommierten Künstlern wie Tibor Varga, Christian Altenburger und Thomas Brandis. Viel Wert legt er auch auf die Kammermusik. Maßgeblich für seine kammermusikalische Laufbahn war der Unterricht beim Bartók Quartett an der Musikakademie Budapest, sowie Meisterkurse u. a. beim Vogler Quartet, Juillard String Quartet und Mandelring Quartett. 2010 gewann er den 3. Preis beim Leo Weiner Wettbewerb in Budapest. Es folgten Auftritte bei verschiedenen Festivals in Europa. Orchestererfahrung auf internationaler Bühne sammelte er in der Orchesterakademie der Bamberger Symphoniker. Es folgten Engagements bei verschiedenen Orchestern in Deutschland. Er gastierte unter anderen beim Staatstheater Nürnberg, Stuttgart und Wiesbaden. Seit Juli 2015 ist er als Vorspieler der 2. Geigen beim Philharmonischen Orchester Würzburg angestellt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1731275908340-HQDJ6LRW37PQBTJBVCIT/Martin+Dressler_Ku%CC%88nstlerfoto+%28Jesu%CC%81s+Cornejo%29.jpg Künstler 2024 - Martin Dressler | Gitarre Der deutsch-mexikanische Gitarrist Martin Dressler studierte an den Hochschulen für Musik in Mexiko-Stadt und in Würzburg, wo er in der Meisterklasse von Prof. Jürgen Ruck mit der höchsten Auszeichnung abschloss. Seine Ausbildung als Liedbegleiter erwarb er in der Klasse von Prof. Gerold Huber und Prof. Alexander Fleischer. Zusätzlich absolvierte er ein Studium der Musikwissenschaft an der Julius-Maximilians-Universität. Im Laufe seiner Konzertkarriere kristallisierten sich die Kammermusik und Neue Musik als seine künstlerischen Schwerpunkte heraus. Zu seinen bisherigen Projekten zählen u. a. mehrere Uraufführungen, CD-Einspielungen und regelmäßiges Musizieren mit Persönlichkeiten der internationalen Musikszene. Stellvertretend genannt seien Jürgen Ruck (Gitarre), Sinn Yang (Violine), Akiko Okabe (Klavier), Andreas Mildner (Harfe), Eva Resch (Sopran) und Jakob Spahn (Cello). Außerdem arbeitete er mit Klangkörpern wie dem Istanbuler Hezarfen Ensemble, dem Gürzenich Orchester Köln, der Staatsphilharmonie Nürnberg oder dem von ihm mitbegründeten Ensamble Moebius zusammen. Besonders prägend waren für Dressler die zahlreichen Kooperationen und Projekte mit zeitgenössischen Komponistinnen und Komponisten wie Helmut Lachenmann, Klaus Ospald, Hilda Paredes, Bernhard Lang, Rubén Seroussi, Johannes Brinkmann, Michael Quell, Joachim FW Schneider, Jorge Torres Sáenz und Hebert Vázquez. Als Liedbegleiter, Ensemblemusiker und Solist ist er regelmäßig in Europa, Nordund Mittelamerika zu hören. Neben seiner künstlerischen Tätigkeit ist Dressler auch pädagogisch aktiv und unterrichtet das Fach Gitarre an der Richard-Trunk-Musikschule. (Foto: Jesús Cornejo) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1731275259200-B8HR80CH782G1X00WZHP/Silke+Evers.jpg Künstler 2024 - Silke Evers | Sopran Die lyrische Sopranistin Silke Evers hat als langjähriges Ensemblemitglied am Mainfrankentheater Würzburg eine Vielzahl an Rollen wie Mozarts Donna Anna, Fiordiligi oder Ilia, aber auch Michaela (Carmen), Tatjana (Eugen Onegin) oder Hanna Glawari ( Lustige Witwe) bis hin zu tragenden Partien in Uraufführungen dargestellt. Währenddessen gastierte sie an diversen Opernhäusern wie Bonn, Münster, Meiningen, Kassel, Augsburg oder Chemnitz. Darüber hinaus sang Frau Evers bei den Salzburger Festspielen und mehrfach mit großem Erfolg an der Staatsoper Berlin. Ausgezeichnet mit vielen Preisen ist sie in den großen Konzertsälen wie Berliner Philharmonie, Berliner Konzerthaus, Kölner Philharmonie oder Tonhalle Zürich zu hören. Frau Evers ist nicht nur als stilsichere Interpretin von Barockmusik, sondern auch im Bereich Neue Musik gefragt, wo sie mit namhaften Ensembles und Dirigenten wie Ingo Metzmacher, R.Spano, P.Hirsch, mit dem ensemble modern und dem Experimentalstudio Freiburg auftritt. Große Beachtung finden auch ihre ausgefallenen Liedprogramme, die sie in moderierten Liederabenden und CD-Aufnahmen zu Gehör bringt. Zur Zeit entsteht eine Aufnahme mit Walther-von-Goethe-Vertonungen. Neben dem eigenen Singen verfügt Frau Evers über eine langjährige Unterrichtserfahrung, die sie an den Musikhochschulen in Mainz und Würzburg sowie bei internationalen Meisterkursen, z.B. in Cape Town und Siena unter Beweis stellen konnte. Seit April 2024 unterrichtet sie als Professorin an der Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541360999048-F75RX3POOFD0PPBDEOBX/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.jpg Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1669490126060-4LV9XHKOZ9YVTWSGAAQL/image-asset.jpeg Künstler 2024 - Konstantin Ingenpaß | Bariton Für den in Osnabrück geborenen Bariton Konstantin Ingenpaß steht die Musik seit frühester Kindheit im Lebensmittelpunkt und er ist seither genreübergreifend musikalisch tätig. Er begann seine professionelle Gesangsausbildung als Jungstudent bei Prof. Gerhild Romberger an der Hochschule für Musik in Detmold . Es folgten nach abgeschlossenem Bachelorstudium, der Master Liedgestaltung in der Klasse von Prof. Manuel Lange und ein Master Operngesang bei Prof. Friedemann Röhlig an der Hochschule für Musik in Karlsruhe. Weitere wichtige künstlerische Impulse erhielt er unter anderem von Mitsuko Shirai, Thomas Quasthoff, Teru Yoshihara und Brigitte Fassbaender. Seine persönliche Vorliebe für die Lyrik wie auch die künstlerische Freiheit und Selbstständigkeit in der Interpretation von Kunstlied, führte während und auch nach dem Studium zu einer Intensiven Auseinandersetzung mit diesem Genre. Im Oktober 2020 wurde diese Arbeit mit dem 1. Preis beim internationalen Wettbewerb für Liedkunst der Hugo Wolf Akademie in Stuttgart ausgezeichnet. Mittlerweile darf er auf ein Umfangreiches Lied-Repertoire blicken welches er, noch am Anfang seiner jungen Karriere, bereits bei Festivals wie dem Schleswig Holstein Musik Festival, dem Heidelberger Frühling, dem Schubert-Fest Dortmund, dem Internationalen Musikfestival Koblenz oder dem Gargan Music Festival in Kanazawa, Japan, mit verschiedenen international erfolgreichen und anerkannten Liedbegleitern, wie Ulrich Eisenlohr oder Hartmut Höll, darbieten durfte. (Foto: Clara Evens) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1653333062275-8KF2K2EC6RNGTP2G6154/Photo+Esthea+Kruger.jpg Künstler 2024 - Esthea Kruger | Festivalleitung, Klavier Die südafrikanische Pianistin Esthea Kruger begann ihre musikalische Laufbahn bereits im Alter von fünf Jahren. Noch bevor sie an der Stellenbosch University studierte, wurde sie von Prof. Nina Schumann als Frühstudentin in ihrem Studio an der Stellenbosch University aufgenommen. Von selbiger Universität erhielt sie den Bachelor of Music sowie den Master of Music – jeweils mit höchster Auszeichnung – und bekam 2009 die Chancellors Medal als beste Studentin der gesamten Universität verliehen. Dies was das erste Mal, dass diese Auszeichnung an eine Musikstudentin ging. Nachdem sie den Titel Doctor of Music Arts in Piano Performance von der University of North Texas bei Prof. Vladimir Viardo erhielt, zog sie nach Deutschland, wo sie in die Meisterklasse Klavier von Prof. Bernd Glemser an der Hochschule für Musik Würzburg aufgenommen wurde und diese 2015 mit dem Meisterklassendiplom abschloss. Bereits während ihres Meisterklassenstudiums war sie Teil der lied!klasse von Holger Berndsen, was ihr Interesse am Kunstlied weckte. Prägend war in dieser Zeit der Liedunterricht bei Prof. Gerold Huber, sodass sie 2015 bei ihm und Alexander Fleischer den Masterstudiengang Liedgestaltung an der Hochschule für Musik Würzburg begann. Gegen Ende dieses Studiums entstand dabei die Idee, ein Festival für neues Kunstlied in Würzburg zu veranstalten. Neues Lied findet seit 2018 jährlich unter der künstlerischen und organisatorischen Leitung von Esthea Kruger statt. Esthea Kruger ist Preisträgerin mehrerer Klavierwettbewerbe, u.a. Unisa Piano Competition, SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition und ATKV Muziq. Konzerte gab sie zusammen mit dem Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, dem KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra und dem Chamber Orchestra of South Africa. Als Liedpianistin wurde sie drei Mal beim Armin-Knab-Gesangswettbewerb der Hochschule für Musik Würzburg mit einem Pianistenpreis ausgezeichnet. 2018 trat sie beim DAVOS FESTIVAL – young artists in concert auf. Seit 2019 ist sie Klavierdozentin am South African College of Music der University of Cape Town. (Foto: Lize Lake) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1731960409322-RONCQVH9O1D4V2TG5858/Paulina+Malefane.JPG Künstler 2024 - Paulina Malefane | Sopran Paulina ist eine in Kapstadt geborene Opernsängerin, die am College of Music der Universität Kapstadt bei Virginia Davids studierte. Später wurde sie Mitbegründerin und Co-Musikdirektorin des Isango Ensembles. Internationale Anerkennung erlangte sie in der Rolle der Carmen, sowohl auf der Bühne als auch im Spielfilm U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, der den Goldenen Bären gewann. Für ihre Darstellung erhielt sie den Golden Thumb Award von Roger Ebert. Außerdem wurde sie bei den South African Film & Television Awards als Beste Schauspielerin für den Film Son of Man ausgezeichnet. 2006 debütierte Paulina bei den Proms in der Royal Albert Hall in London mit Liedern von Kurt Weill. 2009 sang sie unter der Leitung von Sir Simon Rattle eine Konzertreihe mit den Berliner Philharmonikern, die im deutschen Fernsehen übertragen wurde. 2012 übernahm Paulina die Rolle der Venus in Venus & Adonis des Isango Ensembles, das die Globe-to-Globe-Saison am Shakespeare’s Globe in London eröffnete. Auf der USA-Tournee des Ensembles im Jahr 2015 spielte sie erneut Carmen und sang die Titania in einer neuen Adaption von Ein Sommernachtstraum. 2016 kreierte und spielte Paulina die Rollen von Yindy und Sadicya in A Man of Good Hope, basierend auf Jonny Steinbergs gleichnamigem Buch, am Londoner Young Vic und am BAM in New York. 2017 trat Paulina erneut mit den Berliner Philharmonikern in Das schlaue Füchslein auf (unter der Leitung von Sir Simon Rattle), einer halbszenischen Inszenierung von Peter Sellars. 2019 wiederholte sie diese Rolle, als das Werk vom London Symphony Orchestra aufgeführt wurde. Für die Aufnahme von Das schlaue Füchslein wurde Paulina für einen Grammy Award nominiert. Im Jahr 2019 wurde Paulina als Dozentin für Gesangsstudien am South African College of Music ernannt. 2021 schlüpfte sie erneut in die Rolle der Yindy in A Man of Good Hope des Isango Ensembles, das am Nationaltheater von Katalonien in Barcelona aufgeführt wurde. Im Oktober 2022 übernahm Paulina die Rolle der Mutter in Treemonisha des Isango Ensembles, das in Frankreich und Luxemburg gezeigt wurde. (Foto: Gavin van Haght) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016453230-6G2JK1VJFC85VA4VFPD8/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1731275619343-BECNHJ249SCPU8E5AER0/Sakhiwe+Mkosana+Bariton+Fotografin+Barbara+Aum%C3%BCller.jpg Künstler 2024 - Sakhiwe Mkosana | Bariton Der aus Südafrika stammende Bariton Sakhiwe Mkosana ist seit März 2023 Mitglied des Opernstudios der Oper Frankfurt, wo er anlässlich der Premiere von Kurt Weills Der Zar lässt sich fotografieren debütierte, gefolgt von seinem Auftritt als Der kaiserliche Kommissar in Madama Butterfly. In der Spielzeit 2023/24 war er hier in der Partie des Ersten Deputierten (Don Carlo) sowie als Erster Nazarener / Kappadozier (Salome) zu erleben. Zu seinen Aufgaben der aktuellen Saison zählen Rollen wie Priester des Jupiter (Hercules), Graf von Ceprano (Rigoletto) sowie Auftritte als Magister (Maskerade), Polizeikommissär (Neuproduktion Doktor und Apotheker) und Doge von Venedig (Bianca e Falliero). Im Sommer 2023 verkörperte Sakhiwe Mkosana die Titelpartie bei der deutschen Erstaufführung der namibischen Oper Chief Hijangua im Berliner Rundfunkhaus, die er bereits 2022 bei der Uraufführung des Werks im National Theatre of Namibia sang. Im Sommer 2024 folgte sein Debüt mit der Birmingham Opera Company in Michael Tippetts New Year unter der Regie von Keith Warner. Sakhiwe Mkosana absolvierte seinen Bachelor of Music im Hauptfach Gesang bei Gwyneth Lloyd an der Universität von Fort Hare, bevor er 2019 dem Chor der Cape Town Opera beitrat. Er absolvierte an der University of Cape Town (UCT) ein Advanced Diploma in Opera Performance und übernahm dort die Partie des Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte). 2022 schloss er das Postgraduiertenstudium für Operngesang an der UCT ab. Sakhiwe Mkosana ist Gewinner des Eva-Kleinitz-Preises beim 8. International Opera Singing Competition 2022 Portofino, Italien und des Schock Foundation Opera Competition 2020. Im Jahr 2022 belegte er zweite Plätze beim Internationalen Gesangswettbewerb Neue Stimmen in Gütersloh und beim Friends of Cape Town Opera Bursary Competition. (Foto: Barbara Aumüller) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541168998196-C4Z5U011UUMHNS0FGLNL/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1731960194172-PWHAW4MUJJLWOD400QPA/Adrian+More.jpg Künstler 2024 - Adrian More | Komponist Adrian More wurde in Welkom, einer kleinen Stadt in der Provinz Freistaat, Südafrika, geboren. Er studierte an der Universität Kapstadt mit dem Hauptfach Komposition. Klavier studierte er bei Graham Fitch, Gesang bei Brad Liebl und Sarita Stern, und Komposition bei dem verstorbenen Professor Peter Klatzow. Bereits während seines Bachelorstudiums wurden sieben Konzerte in der Baxter Concert Hall ausschließlich mit seinen Kompositionen aufgeführt. Anschließend setzte Adrian More sein Studium am Royal College of Music (RCM) in London fort, wo er einen Masterabschluss in fortgeschrittener Komposition, Filmmusik, Klavier und Gesang erwarb. Er studierte Komposition bei Timothy Salter und nahm an Meisterkursen von weltbekannten Komponisten im Bereich Film und klassischer Musik teil. Während seiner Zeit am RCM gewann er den RCM-Preis für Komposition, der ihm einen Kompositionsauftrag einbrachte. Zudem erhielt er mehrere Auszeichnungen für Komposition, Klavier und seine akademischen Leistungen. Darüber hinaus absolvierte er ein Lehrdiplom (PGCE) an der Universität Kapstadt, das er als bester Student seines Jahrgangs abschloss. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016012037-KJHDTUJ9V4OX0ICU3OWH/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1731275538529-CW4UJYKH03DIG0VBAATR/Theresa+Maria+Romes%2C+Foto+Joe+Kurowski.JPG Künstler 2024 - Theresa Maria Romes | Sopran Als vielseitige und offene Musikerin, die Menschen berühren und bewegen will, ist Theresa Maria Romes nicht nur als Sopranistin erfolgreich, sondern auch in der Konzeption von Konzertprogrammen und dem Entwerfen neuer Formate. Als Leiterin zweier Festivals und einer Konzertreihe engagiert sie sich nachhaltig für kulturellen Austausch. Ihr Interesse für zeitgenössische und genreübergreifende Musik schlägt sich in 18 Uraufführungen verschiedener Komponist:innen und zahlreichen Aufnahmen nieder, zuletzt beim Bayerischen Rundfunk. Als Solistin sang sie im Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, mit den Nürnberger Symphonikern, dem Sochi Sinfonie Orchester in Russland, an der Oper Leipzig, an der Staatsoperette Dresden, am Theater Koblenz, beim Festival Schloss Brenz, mit dem Leipziger Symphonie-Orchester, bei den Frankenfestspielen Röttingen, bei den Opernfestspielen Heidenheim und beim Mozartfest Würzburg. Im Chor sang sie am Landestheater Coburg, beim Heidelberger Frühling und ist regelmäßig im Opernchor des Staatstheaters Nürnberg zu hören. Ihre Stimme wird von Kritikern als „glänzender, voller, schön gerundeter Sopran“ beschrieben. Im Konzert überzeugt sie mit „veritabler Bühnenpräsenz“, „Vielseitigkeit“, „Leidenschaft und Temperament“ sowie „erfreulich klarer Aussprache“. Besonders liegt ihr die Kammermusik und das Kunstlied am Herzen und so initiierte sie 2019 in ihrer Heimat im Kreis Heidenheim einen gemeinnützigen Verein sowie das zugehörige internationale Festival für Kunstlied Liederfrühling. Auch in ihrer Wahlheimat Würzburg engagiert sie sich und gründete 2021 ein Festival. Gemeinsam mit Pianistin Marie-Thérèse Zahnlecker organisiert sie jährlich im Oktober in Würzburg das innovative und epochenübergreifende KAMMERMUSIK! Festival, für das sie im Jahr 2023 mit dem Kulturförderpreis der Stadt Würzburg ausgezeichnet wurde. Heuer wurden ihr der Max Liebhaber-Preis sowie der Herbert Hillmann Preis verliehen. Als Stipendiatin wurde sie von der Hermine-Klenz-Stiftung, der Bruno-Frey-Stiftung, dem Deutschland-Stipendium und dem Richard-Wagner-Verband ausgewählt und gefördert. Neben ihrer Muttersprache Deutsch spricht Theresa Maria Romes Englisch, Französisch, Italienisch, Spanisch und auf grundlegendem Niveau Russisch. (Foto: Joe Kurowski) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016365123-XZTOCB4F85NIBDSP3DQX/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1731277023222-Y72YW1M93WAY9PAP7FNQ/Francesco+Spangoli.jpeg Künstler 2024 - Francesco Spagnoli | Viola Der in Verona geborene Francesco Spagnoli erhielt im Alter von sechs Jahren ersten Geigenunterricht. Seine musikalische Ausbildung führte ihn an Konservatorium seiner Heimatstadt zu Prof. Juan Carlos Rybins. Es folgte den Wechsel zur Bratsche sowie das Studium bei Prof. Eddo Lenzi in Verona. An der Hochschule für Musik in Würzburg absolvierte er die Meisterklasse bei Prof. Reiner Schmidt. Neben seinen Studien sammelte er Erfahrungen im Orchester sowie als Solist als auch in verschiedenen europäischen Ensembles, darunter das „Real Orchesta Sinfónica de Sevilla“, sowie das Orchester des „Teatro Regio di Parma“. Seit der Spielzeit 2009-10 ist Francesco Spagnoli im Philharmonischen Orchester Würzburg engagiert. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016182209-BYQJIBH0YBX0SIIC0U2Y/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1731275909666-6OI00PMUB0CYLCCG6XTA/Deanna+Talens.jpg Künstler 2024 - Deanna Talens | Violoncello Die Gewinnerin des “Prize of Hope” beim Internationalen Tchaikovsky Wettbewerb in Moskau, Deanna Talens spielte schon in der Jordan Hall (Boston), Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Issac Stern Auditorium und in der Philharmonie und dem Konzerthaus in Berlin. Seit 2011 ist die amerikanisch-philippinische Cellistin Solocellistin im Philharmonisches Orchester Würzburg. Aufgrund ihrer Begeisterung für Kammermusik, hat Deanna mit Künstlern wie Isaac Stern, Emanuel Ax, Thomas Quasthoff sowie den Emerson, Juilliard und Guaneri Streichquartetten gearbeitet. Darüber hinaus kollaborierte sie mit den Komponisten Kaija Saariaho, Franghiz Ali-Sade und Sofia Gubaidulina. Die Cellistin hat einen Master von der Northwestern University in Chicago, wo sie von Hans Jørgen Jensen unterrichtet wurde. An der “Hanns Eisler” Hochschule für Musik in Berlin studierte Deanna bei David Geringas, wo sie Ihr Diplom mit Auszeichnung erhielt. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016068829-TGS3PI8MJNVB0H89TNJB/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1732172851725-KHNRTHXRQPTWKIB4SAML/Sinn+Yang.png Künstler 2024 - Sinn Yang | Violine Sinn Yang, in Würzburg geborene Koreanerin, studierte bei Max Speermann in Würzburg und Thomas Brandis in Lübeck. 2008 gewann sie den BDI –Wettbewerb „Ton und Erklärung“. Als Solistin spielte sie u.a.mit dem Deutschen Sinfonieorchester Berlin, den Nürnberger Philharmonikern und trat u.a. in München, Dortmund, Prag sowie in Italien, Japan und Südkorea auf. Nach Konzertmeistertätigkeiten u.a. am Staatstheater Nürnberg, Sinfonieorchester Luzern und der Deutschen Oper Berlin widmet sie sich inzwischen neben eigenen Konzerten vor allem dem Unterrichten junger Nachwuchstalente als Dozentin an den Musikhochschulen Würzburg und Regensburg. Ihre CDs erschienen bei OehmsClassics und 2024 die Gesamtaufnahmen aller Sonaten für Violine und Klavier von Robert Schumann mit dem italienischen Pianisten Marco Grisanti und aller Sonaten für Violine Solo von J.S.Bach bei „OnClassical“. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016277775-0ZTLVKUXG9BM952BA4HF/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016214492-77F8GRLKBX1R6C5KN3P5/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016307415-04W5FJKASBAUXO3FJG95/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1541016119580-1UI9W1YSJTARYB9FCCLU/thumbnail_Silke+Evers%2C+Sopran.png Künstler 2024 https://festivalneueslied.com/latest-ishimoto daily 0.75 2022-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1652647890620-S1JJ5LNHUPZYM5LKB63S/image-asset.jpeg Latest - Esthea Kruger Esthea Kruger obtained her BMus and MMus (Piano Performance) degrees at Stellenbosch University under the guidance of Prof. Nina Schumann, her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas under the tutelage of Prof. Vladimir Viardo, and her Meisterklassendiplom at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in the class of Prof. Bernd Glemser. Additionally, she specialised in Art Song Accompaniment, obtaining a second master’s degree in 2019 in Liedgestaltung from the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg as student of Prof. Gerold Huber. Esthea Kruger has won prizes at many major competitions in South Africa, such as the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition, the ATKV-Muziq Competition, the FMR/Pick 'n Pay Travel Award Competition, the Stonehage Bursary Competition, the Mabel Quick Overseas Scholarship Competition and the UNISA National Piano Competition. In 2009, she became the first music student to receive Stellenbosch University’s Chancellor’s Medal. Apart from her solo performances, Esthea Kruger regularly appears in concert as accompanist and chamber musician, in South Africa and abroad. As Lied accompanist she was awarded the pianist prize at the Armin Knab Singing Competition in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In 2018 she performed at the DAVOS FESTIVAL – young artists in concert in Switzerland. Esthea Kruger is the founder and artistic director of “Neues Lied”, a festival for contemporary art song that she organises yearly in Germany. In 2020, the festival was awarded the City of Würzburg’s “Kulturförderpreis” (Culture Prize). “Neues Lied” will also take place for the first time in Cape Town in 2022. Since 2019 Esthea Kruger is piano lecturer at the South African College of Music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1652647890620-S1JJ5LNHUPZYM5LKB63S/image-asset.jpeg Latest - Esthea Kruger Esthea Kruger obtained her BMus and MMus (Piano Performance) degrees at Stellenbosch University under the guidance of Prof. Nina Schumann, her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas under the tutelage of Prof. Vladimir Viardo, and her Meisterklassendiplom at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in the class of Prof. Bernd Glemser. Additionally, she specialised in Art Song Accompaniment, obtaining a second master’s degree in 2019 in Liedgestaltung from the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg as student of Prof. Gerold Huber. Esthea Kruger has won prizes at many major competitions in South Africa, such as the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition, the ATKV-Muziq Competition, the FMR/Pick 'n Pay Travel Award Competition, the Stonehage Bursary Competition, the Mabel Quick Overseas Scholarship Competition and the UNISA National Piano Competition. In 2009, she became the first music student to receive Stellenbosch University’s Chancellor’s Medal. Apart from her solo performances, Esthea Kruger regularly appears in concert as accompanist and chamber musician, in South Africa and abroad. As Lied accompanist she was awarded the pianist prize at the Armin Knab Singing Competition in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In 2018 she performed at the DAVOS FESTIVAL – young artists in concert in Switzerland. Esthea Kruger is the founder and artistic director of “Neues Lied”, a festival for contemporary art song that she organises yearly in Germany. In 2020, the festival was awarded the City of Würzburg’s “Kulturförderpreis” (Culture Prize). “Neues Lied” will also take place for the first time in Cape Town in 2022. Since 2019 Esthea Kruger is piano lecturer at the South African College of Music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915434667-3QUJLA52GGCAWUQ6R1RD/latest-2015-04-10-west-coast-0328.jpg Latest - Esthea Kruger Esthea Kruger obtained her BMus and MMus (Piano Performance) degrees at Stellenbosch University under the guidance of Prof. Nina Schumann, her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas under the tutelage of Prof. Vladimir Viardo, and her Meisterklassendiplom at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in the class of Prof. Bernd Glemser. Additionally, she specialised in Art Song Accompaniment, obtaining a second master’s degree in 2019 in Liedgestaltung from the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg as student of Prof. Gerold Huber. Esthea Kruger has won prizes at many major competitions in South Africa, such as the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition, the ATKV-Muziq Competition, the FMR/Pick 'n Pay Travel Award Competition, the Stonehage Bursary Competition, the Mabel Quick Overseas Scholarship Competition and the UNISA National Piano Competition. In 2009, she became the first music student to receive Stellenbosch University’s Chancellor’s Medal. Apart from her solo performances, Esthea Kruger regularly appears in concert as accompanist and chamber musician, in South Africa and abroad. As Lied accompanist she was awarded the pianist prize at the Armin Knab Singing Competition in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In 2018 she performed at the DAVOS FESTIVAL – young artists in concert in Switzerland. Esthea Kruger is the founder and artistic director of “Neues Lied”, a festival for contemporary art song that she organises yearly in Germany. In 2020, the festival was awarded the City of Würzburg’s “Kulturförderpreis” (Culture Prize). “Neues Lied” will also take place for the first time in Cape Town in 2022. Since 2019 Esthea Kruger is piano lecturer at the South African College of Music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915432742-IOON1CG9EHKUZHJ0EGF8/latest-2015-04-10-west-coast-0315.jpg Latest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915434553-43900IW4VFHI7NX42PWQ/latest-2015-04-10-west-coast-0356.jpg Latest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915456362-PIXVTBXVG8JAF8BGSWU7/latest-2015-04-10-west-coast-0153.jpg Latest https://festivalneueslied.com/blog-ishimoto daily 0.75 2022-05-15 https://festivalneueslied.com/blog-ishimoto/2016/2/17/nyc-trip-yccje monthly 0.5 2016-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915545337-Z7F974AQKEKJ17T9CBF9/blog-2015-04-10-west-coast-0328.jpg Blog - Inland to Coast https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915545900-CAIZWGUBIGVO6PT7MPQB/blog-2015-04-11-west-coast-0309.jpg Blog - Inland to Coast https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915543944-5G8BL6MJ48DQ098BJX58/blog-2015-04-11-west-coast-0286.jpg Blog - Inland to Coast https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915546803-NGAAZJKT657PXPGCI0EM/blog-2015-04-14-west-coast-0216.jpg Blog - Inland to Coast https://festivalneueslied.com/blog-ishimoto/2016/2/17/malesuada-ullamcorper-ultricies-s6e4c monthly 0.5 2016-02-18 https://festivalneueslied.com/blog-ishimoto/2016/2/18/suspendisse-a-libero-8xnm2 monthly 0.5 2016-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915589231-SOF7607972Q8H166X7FC/blog-2015-04-13-west-coast-0026.jpg Blog - Elements of Frost https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56952733bfe87314267c4882/1455915590081-BQFLNJ5EDDIFVSXS276G/blog-2015-04-10-west-coast-0403.jpg Blog - Elements of Frost https://festivalneueslied.com/portraiture-wells daily 0.75 2022-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457380790451-1V4EBAPSUERI6XZ0DUPD/portraiture-82.65.2_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457380790451-1V4EBAPSUERI6XZ0DUPD/portraiture-82.65.2_PS2.jpg Portraiture - Esthea Kruger Esthea Kruger obtained her BMus and MMus (Piano Performance) degrees at Stellenbosch University under the guidance of Prof. Nina Schumann, her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas under the tutelage of Prof. Vladimir Viardo, and her Meisterklassendiplom at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in the class of Prof. Bernd Glemser. Additionally, she specialised in Art Song Accompaniment, obtaining a second master’s degree in 2019 in Liedgestaltung from the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg as student of Prof. Gerold Huber. Esthea Kruger has won prizes at many major competitions in South Africa, such as the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition, the ATKV-Muziq Competition, the FMR/Pick 'n Pay Travel Award Competition, the Stonehage Bursary Competition, the Mabel Quick Overseas Scholarship Competition and the UNISA National Piano Competition. In 2009, she became the first music student to receive Stellenbosch University’s Chancellor’s Medal. Apart from her solo performances, Esthea Kruger regularly appears in concert as accompanist and chamber musician, in South Africa and abroad. As Lied accompanist she was awarded the pianist prize at the Armin Knab Singing Competition in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In 2018 she performed at the DAVOS FESTIVAL – young artists in concert in Switzerland. Esthea Kruger is the founder and artistic director of “Neues Lied”, a festival for contemporary art song that she organises yearly in Germany. In 2020, the festival was awarded the City of Würzburg’s “Kulturförderpreis” (Culture Prize). “Neues Lied” will also take place for the first time in Cape Town in 2022. Since 2019 Esthea Kruger is piano lecturer at the South African College of Music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475545583-RSE6AI5JFTGOY7JDKIXR/portraiture-82.65.447_PS1.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475445982-CZ8CAQWJ9VH6G6MXRB9S/portraiture-82.65.366_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475465198-ELIGEGUCMH604ZDRGQJB/portraiture-82.65.9_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457474124582-OSQWM2UYPA7MLU0XY926/portraiture-82.65.133_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475496888-W0QC645FIMZH6R01BBGF/portraiture-82.65.66_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475530517-TE22N1Z7UH1S5NFFJOSP/portraiture-82.65.5_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475477342-6A3K63FQUT37DYI19X5W/portraiture-82.65.79_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475919508-O5I1RJXA77BOAD7EQDW0/portraiture-82.65.465_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475894379-GX07H5PS5IER6I9QFHG5/portraiture-82.65.379_PS1-toned.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457474083118-3AMK647X1L0MJUFP43L9/portraiture-82.65.173_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d9b7181d07c0cd16df5f11/1457475931580-6K5U8YR14I1T0OQ9WYMJ/portraiture-82.65.454_PS2.jpg Portraiture https://festivalneueslied.com/artists daily 0.75 2025-08-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1756467133662-21SF3Y4XOIDVLNVHE3FE/violina-hammock-2.png Artists - Violina Anguelov-Hobbs | Mezzo-Soprano Violina Anguelov-Hobbs, a Bulgarian-born mezzo-soprano, holds a Performer’s Diploma in Opera (with distinction) and a First-Class Honours Degree in Singing from the University of Cape Town, College of Music, where she studied under Sarita Stern and Prof. Angelo Gobbato. She has received numerous awards, including the Adcock Ingram Music Prize, Leonard Hall Memorial Prize, Erik Chisholm Prize, and Best Principal Singer for Cape Town Opera. With an extensive operatic and concert repertoire, Violina has performed over 35 leading operatic roles across South Africa, Europe, and Australia. She made her South African operatic debut as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro (1999), and her European debut as Dorabella in Così fan tutte in Hanover (2000). Notable roles include Rosina (The Barber of Seville), Marguerite (La Damnation de Faust), Carmen (Carmen), Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier), Amneris (Aida), Queen Elizabeth (Maria Stuarda), and Mrs. De Rocher (Dead Man Walking), among many others. She has collaborated with esteemed artists including Bryn Terfel in a Cape Town Opera gala and worked under the baton of Sir Richard Bonynge in Lucia di Lammermoor (2013). Violina is also celebrated for her concert and sacred music performances, appearing as a soloist in major oratorios by Mozart, Bach, Händel, Verdi, and others. In addition to her performance career, Violina has a strong passion for teaching and currently serves as a Senior Voice Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, College of Music. Her lieder repertoire spans a wide range of composers including Schubert, Brahms, Britten, Fauré, Rachmaninov, Dvořák and more. Photo: Freya Photography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1756467133662-21SF3Y4XOIDVLNVHE3FE/violina-hammock-2.png Artists - Violina Anguelov-Hobbs | Mezzo-Soprano Violina Anguelov-Hobbs, a Bulgarian-born mezzo-soprano, holds a Performer’s Diploma in Opera (with distinction) and a First-Class Honours Degree in Singing from the University of Cape Town, College of Music, where she studied under Sarita Stern and Prof. Angelo Gobbato. She has received numerous awards, including the Adcock Ingram Music Prize, Leonard Hall Memorial Prize, Erik Chisholm Prize, and Best Principal Singer for Cape Town Opera. With an extensive operatic and concert repertoire, Violina has performed over 35 leading operatic roles across South Africa, Europe, and Australia. She made her South African operatic debut as Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro (1999), and her European debut as Dorabella in Così fan tutte in Hanover (2000). Notable roles include Rosina (The Barber of Seville), Marguerite (La Damnation de Faust), Carmen (Carmen), Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier), Amneris (Aida), Queen Elizabeth (Maria Stuarda), and Mrs. De Rocher (Dead Man Walking), among many others. She has collaborated with esteemed artists including Bryn Terfel in a Cape Town Opera gala and worked under the baton of Sir Richard Bonynge in Lucia di Lammermoor (2013). Violina is also celebrated for her concert and sacred music performances, appearing as a soloist in major oratorios by Mozart, Bach, Händel, Verdi, and others. In addition to her performance career, Violina has a strong passion for teaching and currently serves as a Senior Voice Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, College of Music. Her lieder repertoire spans a wide range of composers including Schubert, Brahms, Britten, Fauré, Rachmaninov, Dvořák and more. Photo: Freya Photography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1753282559922-P4BD5YG8176KLRCT81TU/LDasappa_Pic2.jpg Artists - Lauren Dasappa | Soprano Lauren Dasappa, a distinguished South African soprano originally from KwaZulu-Natal, is celebrated for her versatility across opera, oratorio, art song, musical theatre, jazz, and contemporary classical repertoire. She is a passionate advocate for South African music, frequently showcasing works within classical and folk genres. Dasappa is also a respected voice pedagogue and serves as a voice lecturer at Stellenbosch University, where she leads a dynamic vocal studio, conducts workshops, mentors recording artists, and directs vocal ensembles. Her extensive experience includes adjudicating national and international vocal competitions, Eisteddfods, and festivals, as well as examining for vocal departments across South Africa. She currently serves as Secretary and board member of the South African chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), playing a key role in advancing vocal pedagogy nationally. Her teaching has shaped numerous successful performers, with former students pursuing postgraduate studies, performing in major theatre and opera productions, and excelling in both local and international vocal competitions. Deeply committed to community development, Dasappa actively supports initiatives that nurture young singers from diverse backgrounds, making a lasting impact on South Africa’s vocal and musical landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1657090236639-5TJSL0LSBPOPWNYQSY66/Minette+Du+Toit-Pearce_042.jpg Artists - Minette du Toit-Pearce | Mezzo-Soprano Minette du Toit-Pearce began her vocal training under the tutelage of Dr. Magdalena Oosthuizen at Stellenbosch University where she received the degrees BMus, BMus (Hons) and MMus (cum laude), specializing in vocal performance. She completed the UNISA Teacher’s and Performance Licentiates (both cum laude). Minette regularly performs as a soloist in oratorios and recitals and is an accomplished singer of lieder both locally and abroad. She has performed with all major orchestras in South Africa, most notably the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. She made her American debut as soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Minnesota Orchestra in Minneapolis in 2018 and accompanied the orchestra on their South African tour as part of their “Mandela 100” celebrations. In 2022 she performed at the Neues Lied Festival in Würzburg, Germany and recorded a CD titled “Nagmusiek” with South African pianist Marika Hofmeyr in France featuring works by Arnold van Wyk and Hendrik Hofmeyr. In February 2024 Minette sang the role of Principessa in Puccini’s opera Suor Angelica for Cape Town Opera for which she received a Fleur du Cap nomination. She has performed at most of the major arts festivals around South Africa and has been nominated for four kykNET Fiësta Awards and was the recipient of two WoordTROfees. Minette is an experienced adjudicator at eisteddfods and singing competitions in South Africa but also travels outside of South Africa to Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to adjudicate, teach and perform. She is the head of the Singing Division at Stellenbosch University and holds the position of Senior Lecturer in Singing. She is currently working towards her PhD in Music. Photo: Antonia Steyn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755889915189-2YKYJQ3A2DCKIDGXMBP0/image-asset.jpeg Artists - Sipho Fubesi | Tenor Sipho Fubesi hails from the eastern part of the country, from a small town called Centan. He made his Royal Opera House/Covent Garden debut in 2013 as Third Esquire (Parsifal). Other performances at the Royal Opera House include the world premiere of O’Regan’s Heart of Darkness with Opera East and ROH2 in the Linbury Studio Theatre. He also covered the role of Hassan in Weir’s Miss Fortune on the main stage. Fubesi studied music at the University of Cape Town under Prof. Angelo Gobbato and Sarita Stern. In 2008 he moved to the United Kingdom to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, one of the best conservatoires in the world. His prizes at the RNCM included the Frederic Cox Award and the Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Prize, and his roles as a student included Candide, Paris (La Belle Hélène), the title role in La Clemenza di Tito, Don José (Carmen) and Anatol (Vanessa). In 2013 he covered the role of Fenton (Falstaff) for the Glyndebourne Festival and in 2012 Machado (Philips’s The Yellow Sofa) for Glyndebourne on Tour. Fubesi’s recordings include the Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto) for SABC television. He also sang Donizetti’s aria ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ from L’elisir d’amore for the soundtrack of the film The Deal. In January 2019, he performed in the New Year’s Concert and Starlight Concert with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Richard Cock and toured United Kingdom with Cape Town Opera. Sipho is a founder of The Mzansi Tenors and is a fulltime singing lecturer at the University of Cape Town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1653156928913-TBQGHBCDFEHE9Z4QMMGI/Foto+1+Esthea+Kruger.jpg Artists - Esthea Kruger | Artistic Direction, Piano South African pianist Esthea Kruger obtained her BMus and MMus (Piano Performance) degrees (both cum laude) at Stellenbosch University under the guidance of Prof. Nina Schumann and Prof. Luis Magalhães, and was awarded Stellenbosch University's prestigious Chancellor’s Medal in 2009. After she had received scholarship offers from several music schools in the United States, she enrolled in a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas under the tutelage of Prof. Vladimir Viardo. Having completed her doctorate in 2012, she then commenced her Meisterklasse degree at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg, Germany, studying in the class of Prof. Bernd Glemser. She was awarded the Meisterklassendiplom at the beginning of 2015. Additionally, she specialised in Art Song Accompaniment, obtaining a second master’s degree in 2019 in Liedgestaltung from the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg as student of Prof. Gerold Huber. Esthea Kruger has won prizes at many major competitions in South Africa, such as the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition, the ATKV-Muziq Competition, the FMR/Pick 'n Pay Travel Award Competition, the Stonehage Bursary Competition, the Mabel Quick Overseas Scholarship Competition and the UNISA National Piano Competition. Apart from her solo performances, Esthea Kruger regularly appears in concert as chamber musician, in South Africa and abroad. As Lied accompanist she was awarded the pianist prize at the Armin Knab Singing Competition of the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In 2018 she performed at the DAVOS FESTIVAL – young artists in concert in Switzerland. She is the founder and artistic director of “Neues Lied”, a festival for contemporary art song that she organises yearly in Germany. The festival was awarded the City of Würzburg’s Culture Prize in 2020. Neues Lied will take place for the first time in Cape Town in August 2022. Since 2019 Esthea Kruger is piano lecturer at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755201884896-VNU1HV2EIU88JP3IU4YH/James+Grace+black.jpg Artists - James Grace | Guitar Recognised as one of South Africa’s most accomplished and versatile musicians, James Grace maintains an extensive performance schedule throughout Southern Africa, Europe, and the UAE. He has appeared as a guest soloist with every South African orchestra and has performed at all the major National Arts Festivals, both as a soloist and in collaboration with various artists. His creative presentations and varied programming have drawn a wide, appreciative audience. Notable achievements include receiving the KANNA Award for Best Male Artist at the 2010 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival and the KykNet Fiesta Award for Best Solo Production in 2011. Grace’s seventh solo guitar studio album, Andaluza – Music of Spain III, recorded and released under his independently owned record label, Stringwise Records, was awarded the South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Instrumental Album 2019. A graduate of the Royal College of Music in London, James Grace made history as the first guitarist to receive the Tagore Gold Medal, an honour presented annually to the institution’s most outstanding student. Currently based in Cape Town, James performs, records, and lectures, directing the guitar programme at the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755072385532-PC76NRA475J45IDTPT04/Clara+Hugo.jpg Artists - Clara Hugo | Soprano With a warm, velvety voice and masterful bel canto technique, soprano Clara Hugo adeptly navigates complex 20th-century repertoire while preserving lyricism and expressiveness. She has recently performed Schoenberg’s Erwartung and taken on the role of Matilda in Jonathan Blair’s opera The Summoning for Cape Town Opera. She portrayed the Governess in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw at the Chigiana International Festival in Siena, and appeared as Bubikopf in Viktor Ullmann’s Der Kaiser von Atlantis at the Momus Festival in Milan and Parma. She has appeared as a soloist at the Leipzig Opera House and the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. Her concert repertoire includes Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate and Great Mass in C minor at Église Saint-Louis-en-l’Île; Dvořák’s Stabat Mater at the Cirque d’Hiver with the Paris Symphony Orchestra and Choir; Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater at Église de la Trinité in Paris; and Chausson’s Poème de l’amour et de la mer with the Ut Cinquième Orchestra. Clara has given chamber music recitals across South Africa, at the Liederiadi Festival in Milan, and the Annecy and Auvers-sur-Oise festivals. She collaborated with the ensemble La Nouvelle Athènes for the Pentecost Festival in Rueil-Malmaison, where they recorded a critically acclaimed CD. She has also appeared in recital with Jan Hugo, performing on the historic 1806 Érard fortepiano at Château de Malmaison and Villa Viardot. She has worked with conductors including Matthias Foremny, Kai Röhrig, Xavier Ricour, Felix Benati, Pierre-Michel Durand, and Christoph Eschenbach. Clara Hugo is an alumna of the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig, Conservatorio G. Verdi in Milan, and the CRR de Paris. She began her musical training at the Maîtrise de Paris, performing her first solo role at age ten in Britten’s Noye’s Fludde. She recently completed a Master’s in Applied Musicology at Sorbonne University, focusing on bel canto vocal style. Photo : Capucine de Chocqueuse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1753282479805-6UILKM3LNDINLWFG4FV4/Jan+Hugo.JPG Artists - Jan Hugo | Piano South African pianist Jan Hugo began his musical studies in Pretoria and made his concerto debut at the age of 12. He later trained in Italy, graduating cum laude from the Modena Conservatory and continuing his studies at the Accademia Pianistica di Imola under Franco Scala and Boris Petrushansky. He holds Master’s degrees from the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig, the Conservatorio di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” in Milan, and a specialised Master’s in fortepiano performance and research from Sorbonne University and the Paris Conservatoire. A prize-winner in numerous competitions, Jan has received First Prizes at the UNISA National Piano Competition, the Royal Over-Seas League (London), and the SAMRO Bursary Competition, among others. He has performed extensively across Europe and South Africa, in venues such as Salle Gaveau (Paris), Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), Sala Mozart (Bologna), and at festivals including Liszt-en-Provence and MITO SettembreMusica (Milan/Turin). As soloist, he has appeared with the Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestras. Jan is also active as a vocal coach, chamber musician, fortepianist, and conductor. In 2024, he served as assistant conductor at the Académie du Palais Royal in Paris. Since November 2024, he has been Head Vocal Coach at Cape Town Opera, where he also worked as assistant conductor on the recent production of Aida. He regularly performs in a voice-piano duo with his wife, soprano Clara Hugo, with a special focus on art song. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1653331146409-BU5QPJH7HAE4FJ879MEU/Foto+1+Esthea+Kruger.jpg Artists - Esthea Kruger | Artistic Direction, Piano South African pianist Esthea Kruger obtained her BMus and MMus (Piano Performance) degrees (both cum laude) at Stellenbosch University under the guidance of Prof. Nina Schumann and Prof. Luis Magalhães, and was awarded Stellenbosch University's prestigious Chancellor’s Medal in 2009. After she had received scholarship offers from several music schools in the United States, she enrolled in a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas under the tutelage of Prof. Vladimir Viardo. Having completed her doctorate in 2012, she then commenced her Meisterklasse degree at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg, Germany, studying in the class of Prof. Bernd Glemser. She was awarded the Meisterklassendiplom at the beginning of 2015. Additionally, she specialised in Art Song Accompaniment, obtaining a second master’s degree in 2019 in Liedgestaltung from the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg as student of Prof. Gerold Huber. Esthea Kruger has won prizes at many major competitions in South Africa, such as the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition, the ATKV-Muziq Competition, the FMR/Pick 'n Pay Travel Award Competition, the Stonehage Bursary Competition, the Mabel Quick Overseas Scholarship Competition and the UNISA National Piano Competition. Apart from her solo performances, Esthea Kruger regularly appears in concert as chamber musician, in South Africa and abroad. As Lied accompanist she was awarded the pianist prize at the Armin Knab Singing Competition of the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In 2018 she performed at the DAVOS FESTIVAL – young artists in concert in Switzerland. She is the founder and artistic director of Neues Lied, a festival for contemporary art song that she organises yearly in Germany. The festival was awarded the City of Würzburg’s Culture Prize in 2020. Neues Lied took place for the first time in Cape Town in 2022. Since 2019 Esthea Kruger is piano lecturer at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town. Photo: Lize Lake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1657645688862-T1KE40A7EAQFN5R26JBD/Paulina+Malefane.JPG Artists - Paulina Malefane | Soprano Paulina Malefane is a Cape Town-born opera singer who studied with Virginia Davids at the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music. Later she became co-founder and co-Music Director of Isango Ensemble. She saw worldwide success playing the role of Carmen, both on stage and in the Golden Bear-winning feature film U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, for which she won a Golden Thumb from Roger Ebert. She was awarded the Best Actress Award at the South African Film & Television Awards for the film Son of Man. In 2006 Paulina made her Proms debut at London's Albert Hall with the songs of Kurt Weill. In 2009, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, she sang a series of concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic, which were broadcast on German television. 2012 saw Paulina playing the role of Venus in Isango's Venus & Adonis, which opened the Globe-to-Globe season at Shakespeare's Globe in London. On Isango’s USA Tour in 2015, she once again played Carmen and sang Titania in the new adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In 2016 Paulina created and played the roles of Yindy and Sadicya in A Man of Good Hope, based on Jonny Steinberg’s book of the same name, at London’s Young Vic and New York’s BAM. Paulina performed with the Berlin Philharmonic again in 2017 in The Cunning Little Vixen (conducted by Sir Simon Rattle), semi-staged by Peter Sellars and she reprised her role in 2019 when the piece was presented by the London Symphony Orchestra; for the recording of The Cunning Little Vixen Paulina was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2019 Paulina was appointed as a lecturer in vocal studies at the South African College of Music. In 2021 she reprised her role as Yindy in Isango Ensemble’s A Man of Good Hope at the National Theatre of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain. In October 2022, Paulina played the mother in Isango Ensemble’s Treemonisha in France and Luxemburg. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755202355228-D42GHC9QEF4E6D9VGWZI/Siphamandle+Moyake.jpg Artists - Siphamandla Moyake | Soprano South African soprano Siphamandla Moyake graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Kwazulu-Natal and at the University of Cape Town with her postgraduate Diploma in opera studies. While at university she performed the roles Anne Truelove in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s progress, Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro, and Saartjie in Hofmeyr’s opera about the life of Saartjie Baartman. Siphamandla is a former staff soloist at the Cape Town Opera company where she performed the roles Musetta in La boheme, Marzelline in Fidelio, Frasquita in Carmen, Winnie Mandela in Mandela trilogy, Nella in Gianni Schicchi, and Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro. Major stage debuts include Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Teatro Real in Madrid, and Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux in France, where she sang the role of Clara in Cape Town Opera’s international touring production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Other works performed include Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Mozart C minor Mass with the Cape Town Symphonic Orchestra, Mozart Requiem Mass as well the Brahms Requiem Mass. She was a finalist at the Hans Gabor Belvedere international singing competition, Lassoluta Virginia Zeani competition and Tbilisi Opera Crown Competition where she was awarded an engagement prize to perform at the Tbilisi Opera House and later performed the role of Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen. She appeared as the soprano soloist in a performance of Michael Tippett’s ‘A Child of Our Time’ presented by the Spanish TV-Radio Orchestra in Madrid. Recent performances include Countess Almaviva in a production of Le Nozze di Figaro by the Cape Town Opera Company at the Artscape Opera house and at the Roodepoort theater, Clara in Porgy and Bess with the Shanghai Symphony orchestra both in Shanghai and Beijing, and Judith in a very successful run of Bluebeard’s Castle by Cape Town Opera. Photo: Thando Mpushe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755890200597-QCZCNU4XQ7IB7OYDYCGJ/image-asset.jpeg Artists - Patrick Tikolo | Bass-Baritone Patrick is an Associate Professor and Head of Vocal Division at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town (UCT), his Alma Mater where he obtained a Performer’s Diploma in Music. Soon after finishing his diploma, he was recruited by Professor Barbara Hill-Moore to further his studies at the Meadows School of the Arts of The Southern Methodist University in Dallas, USA. This is where he received his Graduate Artist Diploma and Master of Music Degree in Voice. Patrick was born and bred in the Eastern Cape, at Zwelitsha near King William’s Town. He finds pleasure in conducting choral and opera singing workshops all around the country for local, church and school choirs including universities. Most recently, he conducted a masterclass for solo voices during the Choral Music Federation of South Africa (COMFESA) symposiums, which held at Artscape in Cape Town and Rustenburg Civic Centre. As a choral enthusiast, he contributes significantly as an adjudicator, music clinician and mentor to choir conductors and singers. He has served in various South African Choral spheres. Patrick served as an Artistic Committee Member of the Standard Bank National Arts Festival. He was as a Board Member of the Cape Town City Ballet as well as Fine Music Radio Station, where he also served as a presenter of the African Choral Sound, the choral program he founded himself. He serves as an external examiner at universities like Stellenbosch and Free State and Tshwane University of Technology. As soloist, he performance repertoire extends from opera and oratorio to German lieder, Russian, French, and Italian songs. His major operatic appearances include the title roles in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess etc. In oratorio, he has sung almost all the standard repertory starting from Bach, Handel, Mozart up to Mendelssohn and Faure. His CD, “Ain’t Got Time To Die”, was launched last year at The Miriam Makeba Auditorium - Fort Hare East London branch. As a teacher, Patrick has seen many of his students assuming significant roles on both the opera and concert stages locally and abroad. While some are active opera stars, gracing world stages through singing opera roles and competitions in programs like Placido Domingo’s Operalia, The Hans Gabor Belvedere, Houston Grand Opera, Neue Stimmen world singing competitions, some assumed teaching careers. Patrick has taught and done masterclasses here in South Africa, Namibia, Sweden, and USA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755202041338-ENQ9RP9RJP8KAFFHPUI3/Brittany+Smith.jpg Artists - Brittany Smith | Soprano As a full-time House Soloist with Cape Town Opera (CTO), Brittany Smith has emerged as a significant figure in the opera world. Her roles with CTO include Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Leïla in The Pearl Fishers and Violetta in La traviata. Her outstanding portrayal of Susanna garnered her the Best Performance in an Opera – Female at the 58th Fleur du Cap Awards in 2022. Brittany obtained a BMus in Opera at the University of Cape Town (UCT) under Professor Virginia Davids. Her early roles at UCT included participation in the chorus in Don Giovanni and Il viaggio a Reims, with her debut solo role being Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro in 2016, followed by Adele in AGL Opera’s Die Fledermaus. Her early career featured several awards, including the Ruth Ormond Prize for Most Promising First Year UCT Female Opera Student and the Schock Foundation Opera Competition Female Classical Winner. Her role as Pamina in CTO’s production of The Magic Flute led to a Fleur du Cap nomination for Best Female Opera Singer in 2017. Joining CTO’s Young Artist Programme in 2018, Brittany performed roles including Norina in Don Pasquale, Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Despina in Così fan tutte, Magda in La rondine, Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel (earning her another Fleur du Cap nomination), Reeva in Trial by Media and Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor. Her significant contributions to entertainment and classical music were recognised with an Artes Award, inclusion in the 2022 Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans list and a Fleur du Cap for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical for her role as Maria in Pieter Toerien and Cape Town Opera’s The Sound of Music in 2023. https://festivalneueslied.com/competition-jury daily 0.75 2025-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755200807292-TR6X9GFUZIAOBX8DVG7H/William+Berger+headshot+2025.jpg Competition Jury - William Berger South African baritone William Berger was a member of the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir and the inaugural recipient of the Deon van der Walt UNISA/SAMRO bursary at age 17, before commencing his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Since winning the Lucerne Festival Prize at the Ernst Haefliger Competition in Switzerland, William has distinguished himself as a performing artist on the international stage and made both his Royal Opera House London and Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. debuts in 2019. Opera appearances include Marcello in La Bohème for Opera Vlaanderen, Opéra Rouen Normandie and Cape Town Opera, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte for the Liceu Barcelona, Oreste in Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride for the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos Lisbon, Escamillo in Carmen for Cape Town Opera and the Luzerner Theater, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte for Opéra de Toulon and the title role of Imeneo for the Göttingen International Handel Festival, for which he was nominated Opernwelt Opera Singer of the Year in 2017. In recital he has appeared at the Wigmore Hall in London on numerous occasions and more recently at the Konzerthaus Berlin, Beethoven-Halle Bonn, Gasteig Munich & Laeiszhalle Hamburg on a recital tour of Germany with pianist Julius Drake. His discography includes two solo albums “Insomnia: A Nocturnal Voyage in Song” (one of The Guardian’s Top Ten Classical CDs of the Year 2012) and “Hommage à Trois” featuring arias by Mozart, Haydn and Cimarosa with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Nicholas McGegan. William Berger was awarded the honour “Associate of the Royal Academy of Music” in 2009 and a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award in 2024 for his performance as Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music. He will be appearing as soloist with the CPO in the world premiere of Grant McLachlan’s new song cycle for baritone and orchestra, “The Silence of the Day” in September at Cape Town City Hall and as the title role in Cape Town Opera’s new production of The Barber of Seville, to be performed at the Spier Amphitheatre as part of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees in early October. Photo: Annène van Eeden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755200807292-TR6X9GFUZIAOBX8DVG7H/William+Berger+headshot+2025.jpg Competition Jury - William Berger South African baritone William Berger was a member of the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir and the inaugural recipient of the Deon van der Walt UNISA/SAMRO bursary at age 17, before commencing his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Since winning the Lucerne Festival Prize at the Ernst Haefliger Competition in Switzerland, William has distinguished himself as a performing artist on the international stage and made both his Royal Opera House London and Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. debuts in 2019. Opera appearances include Marcello in La Bohème for Opera Vlaanderen, Opéra Rouen Normandie and Cape Town Opera, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte for the Liceu Barcelona, Oreste in Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride for the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos Lisbon, Escamillo in Carmen for Cape Town Opera and the Luzerner Theater, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte for Opéra de Toulon and the title role of Imeneo for the Göttingen International Handel Festival, for which he was nominated Opernwelt Opera Singer of the Year in 2017. In recital he has appeared at the Wigmore Hall in London on numerous occasions and more recently at the Konzerthaus Berlin, Beethoven-Halle Bonn, Gasteig Munich & Laeiszhalle Hamburg on a recital tour of Germany with pianist Julius Drake. His discography includes two solo albums “Insomnia: A Nocturnal Voyage in Song” (one of The Guardian’s Top Ten Classical CDs of the Year 2012) and “Hommage à Trois” featuring arias by Mozart, Haydn and Cimarosa with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Nicholas McGegan. William Berger was awarded the honour “Associate of the Royal Academy of Music” in 2009 and a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award in 2024 for his performance as Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music. He will be appearing as soloist with the CPO in the world premiere of Grant McLachlan’s new song cycle for baritone and orchestra, “The Silence of the Day” in September at Cape Town City Hall and as the title role in Cape Town Opera’s new production of The Barber of Seville, to be performed at the Spier Amphitheatre as part of the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees in early October. Photo: Annène van Eeden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1725566728585-0SB3C6M8CO6XOB69S7A4/Jose+Dias.jpg Competition Jury - José Dias Portuguese-born pianist, José Dias is a regular presence in all major concert halls and arts festivals in South Africa. Recent performances have taken him to various countries in Africa and Europe, with appearances in such historic halls as the Berliner Philharmonie, Münchner Philharmonie, Beethovenhalle in Bonn, among many others. José is in high demand as soloist, chamber musician and vocal accompanist, and has been the musical director of Cape Town Opera’s acclaimed touring productions of African Angels and African Passion, and its productions of Viardot’s Cinderella, Donizetti's L'Elisir d'amore and Bon Appétit! Most recently he was musical director for the world première of Conrad Asman’s opera Trial by Media, based on the trial of Oscar Pistorius, along with Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine. He wrote new music and took the musical direction of Piekniek by Mpande, a reimagining of the protest cabaret Piekniek by Dingaan, as well as for the 2019 Fleur du Cap Awards ceremony. He has been the recipient of several awards from festivals such as Woordfees, KKNK, Aardklop, as well as two kykNET Fiëstas. He was musical director for Master Class, CTO and Pieter Toerien’s hit-production of Terrence McNally’s play, where he also took the role of “Manny” the accompanist, alongside CTO singers led by the legendary South-African actress Sandra Prinsloo as Maria Callas. José is an avid promoter of contemporary music, having premiered works by composers such as Conrad Asman, Hendrik Hofmeyr and Alexander Johnson. He was also the musical director for Braam du Toit's soundtrack to Oliver Hermanus' feature film Moffie, among other cinematic productions. José is a sought-after piano teacher and a vocal coach, mentoring and collaborating with many of the leading South African singers. He is a part-time teacher at Rustenburg Girls’ High School and a part-time lecturer at Stellenbosch University’s Music Department, working within the voice and choral conducting divisions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1753281215607-KIMKIZ1JHI4090LYPH3M/Conroy+Cupido.jpg Competition Jury - Conroy Cupido Prof Conroy Cupido is an internationally trained classical singer, researcher, and academic leader. He completed a music degree at Stellenbosch University, followed by a master’s degree and Artist Certificate from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He became the first South African to obtain a Doctorate in Vocal Performance, conferred by the University of North Texas in 2009. In 2024, he earned a Master of Arts in Positive Psychology with distinction from North-West University (NWU). He has performed extensively in South Africa, the USA, UK, and Italy, singing in operas, oratorios, and recitals. His students have excelled internationally, winning major competitions and performing at renowned opera houses including La Scala, Covent Garden, and Staatsoper Berlin. He was awarded the NWU Award for Teaching Excellence (2013) and two Institutional Research Excellence Awards for Creative Outputs (2017). A Full Professor and Director of the School of Music at NWU, Prof Cupido teaches voice, vocal pedagogy, literature, and diction. He also conducts the NWU Opera Ensemble. He is a C2-rated researcher by the NRF and his scholarly work explores intersections between music, emotion, and well-being. He edited and authored Music, Art and Emotion (AOSIS, 2022). Prof Cupido serves as President of the South African Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Director of Cape Town Opera (chairing its Strategy Committee), and is an avid gardener and amateur artist. Together with colleagues, his productions at the Aardklop National Arts Festival were nominated three times for KykNet Fiësta awards, and in 2025, the production he conducted won the KykNet Fiësta Award for Best Achievement in Classical Music. Internationally recognised, he has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the Sue Johnson Prize and bursaries from the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and National Arts Council of South Africa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1753281477888-LMA66KKRTCKLQLKTO5MU/%27+Hendrik+Hofmeyr+photo.png Competition Jury - Hendrik Hofmeyr Hendrik Hofmeyr, described by The Musical Times as ‘perhaps South Africa’s most prolific composer,’ was born in Cape Town in 1957. He achieved his first major success as a composer in 1988 with the performance of The Fall of the House of Usher, which won the South African Opera Competition and the Nederburg Opera Prize. In the same year, Hofmeyr, who was studying in Italy during ten years of self-imposed exile, obtained first prize in an international competition in Trent with music for a short film by Wim Wenders. In 1992 he was appointed lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch, and in 1997 won two further international competitions, the Queen Elisabeth of Belgium and the Dimitri Mitropoulos (Athens). Hofmeyr obtained his Doctorate in 1999 from the University of Cape Town, where he taught from 1998 until his retirement in 2022 as Professor and Head of Composition and Music Theory. His Incantesimo was chosen to represent South Africa at the Congress of the International Society of Contemporary Music in Croatia in 2005, and in 2008 he was honoured with a Kanna Award by the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival. He received the UCT Creative Arts Award for his Second Symphony – The Elements in 2018. Hofmeyr’s oeuvre, which comprises operas, orchestral, choral, vocal and instrumental works, includes some 150 commissions. Many of his works have been published abroad and issued on CD. In 2021, Partita africana, a CD of his works, was chosen as Discovery of the Month by the French magazine Classica; in 2023, another CD featuring three of his works was selected as Contemporary CD of the Week on Radio France. Hofmeyr was awarded the prestigious triennial Hubert Rupert Prize for Classical Music in 2025 by the South African Academy of Science and Art for his contribution to music. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1657644949727-WNJC2481PTUSJWRHRMHA/Thomas+Erlank.jpeg Competition Jury - Thomas Erlank South African tenor Thomas Erlank is a member of the ensemble at Opernhaus Zürich since 2020 after completing two years as a member of the International Opera studio. Thomas already appeared in numerous productions by Andreas Homoki, Tatjana Gürbaca, Jetske Mijnsen, and others. During the season 2018/2019 Thomas made his house debut with the premiere of Christian Spuck’s ballet production of Hans Zender’s composed interpretation of the Winterreise with huge success. Recent roles include le Chevalier de la force in Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, Lucano in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, and Grimoaldo in Handel’s Rodelinda. On the concert stage Thomas has performed works by J. S. Bach, G. F. Händel, J. Haydn, C. Saint-Saëns, W. A. Mozart, F. P. Schubert, and S. van der Merwe. After some years of studying at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, Thomas moved to London where he completed a post-graduate diploma in vocal performance, a master’s degree, and a post master’s diploma in opera performance at the Royal College of Music. Thomas remains a member of the ensemble at Opernhaus Zürich with planned roles such as Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Stimme des Seemanns in Wagner´s Tristan und Isolde. Photo: Ilse de Klerk https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1753281770074-XWQY9TXRI1ZXWMWUZNB0/Jan+Hugo.JPG Competition Jury - Jan Hugo South African pianist Jan Hugo began his musical studies in Pretoria and made his concerto debut at the age of 12. He later trained in Italy, graduating cum laude from the Modena Conservatory and continuing his studies at the Accademia Pianistica di Imola under Franco Scala and Boris Petrushansky. He holds Master’s degrees from the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig, the Conservatorio di Musica “Giuseppe Verdi” in Milan, and a specialised Master’s in fortepiano performance and research from Sorbonne University and the Paris Conservatoire. A prize-winner in numerous competitions, Jan has received First Prizes at the UNISA National Piano Competition, the Royal Over-Seas League (London), and the SAMRO Bursary Competition, among others. He has performed extensively across Europe and South Africa, in venues such as Salle Gaveau (Paris), Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), Sala Mozart (Bologna), and at festivals including Liszt-en-Provence and MITO SettembreMusica (Milan/Turin). As soloist, he has appeared with the Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestras. Jan is also active as a vocal coach, chamber musician, fortepianist, and conductor. In 2024, he served as assistant conductor at the Académie du Palais Royal in Paris. Since November 2024, he has been Head Vocal Coach at Cape Town Opera, where he also worked as assistant conductor on the recent production of Aida. He regularly performs in a voice-piano duo with his wife, soprano Clara Hugo, with a special focus on art song. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bda07d9e2ccd1e663faa5ed/1755200909081-90KQ636J0EZ59AKY6DY3/20220418_105330-EDIT.jpg Competition Jury - Zanne Stapelberg Hailed by critics as a "national treasure", Zanne Stapelberg is one of South Africa’s most celebrated and versatile singers and performers. A graduate of the University of Stellenbosch, she completed her BA in Music and Higher Licentiate in Musical Performance (English Literature, classical voice and jazz saxophone), Summa Cum Laude. She studied under the guidance of renowned voice teacher Professor Magdalena Oosthuizen and went on to further her training at the University of Cape Town and the prestigious Cape Town Opera Studio. Zanne’s operatic repertoire includes many of the most iconic roles in the soprano canon. She has performed Angelica in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Mimi in La Bohème, Alice in Verdi’s Falstaff, Ilia in Mozart’s Idomeneo, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Rosalinde in Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, Micaela in Gounod's Faust and Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen, among others. Her performances are praised for their emotional depth, vocal purity, and dramatic nuance. In concert, Zanne is an accomplished oratorio soloist, with performances including Verdi’s Requiem, Dvořák’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, Vivaldi's Gloria and Handel’s Messiah. Her deep connection to Art Song was cultivated during her university years, and she has since performed extensively across South Africa and Europe. Her Art Song repertoire includes works such as Schumann’s Frauenliebe und Leben, Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder, Ravel’s Chansons Madécasses and Shéhérazade, Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’été, and Debussy’s Fêtes Galantes. She also champions South African composers, performing pieces like Arnold van Wyk’s Vier Weemoedige Liedjies and Hendrik Hofmeyr’s Die Stil Avontuur, Tre Liriche in Stile Antico, and The Death of Cleopatra. Zanne has collaborated with celebrated visual artist and director William Kentridge in his stage productions of The Confessions of Zeno, Refuse the Hour, and The Magic Flute, in which she sang the role of the First Lady. Her theatrical instincts and musical curiosity have led her to explore multiple genres. As a producer, she created and performed Secret Songs, a classical reinvention of popular music, and Spieël/Speel, an Afrikaans cabaret written with pianist Kathleen Tagg that blends jazz, blues, African and classical styles. She also appeared alongside Karen Zoid and Zolani Mahola in the acclaimed production Zoid, Zanne, Zolani. Her most recent production, Once Upon a Tune, with long time collaborators prof. Albie van Schalkwyk and director Steven Stead, played to sold out houses at the Suidoosterfees this year and they have subsequently been invited to do the production at The Playhouse Theatre in Durban, Die Woordfees in Stellenbosch and Aardklop Arts Festival. Zanne and Albie are currently performing their production, Opera-Tango & Beyond across the country. Gia Radnai of The Lowvelder writes about the production, "Opera-Tango cultivates a new love amongst theatre goers, it is a production which makes you sing and gives audiences a new appreciation for the arts". Her recording career includes the critically acclaimed Soul of Fire, a collaboration with Kathleen Tagg that was nominated for a South African Music Award (SAMA) and hailed as “one of the most remarkable musical productions yet to have emerged from South Africa.” Music from the album is featured in Deon Meyer’s film Die Laaste Tango. She also released Opera Gala – Live in Concert, recorded with the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra and funded by Standard Bank. Amongst others, Zanne received the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Classical Music, the KANNA Award for Best Classical Production at the KKNK, and a Woordfees Award for Zoid, Zanne, Zolani. She has also been recognized with the Best Young Opera Singer Award from the Friends of Cape Town Opera, and was named a Cosmopolitan Awesome Woman for her contributions to opera and music production. Insig magazine selected her as South Africa’s Top Theatre Attraction. Beyond the stage, Zanne is deeply committed to music education and community engagement. She is an experienced voice teacher and choral conductor, regularly leads masterclasses and musical outreach programs throughout the Western Cape, and adjudicates for various eisteddfods. 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