Jan Voth
Twelve singers on their way to an international career
After a week of intensive work in the 2014 NEUE STIMMEN Master Class twelve young opera talents gave an enthralling final concert of well-known and demanding opera melodies last Saturday in the Bertelsmann Stiftung's foyer.
Twelve singers from eleven countries worked intensively with instructors and accompanists during the week of the 2014 NEUE STIMMEN Master Class, the tenth time the event was held. Under the guidance of Gustav Kuhn, Cheryl Studer, Francisco Araíza and John Norris, they spent the week perfecting their interpretative abilities and stage presence. In conclusion, the young talents gave an enthralling final concert of well-known and demanding opera melodies last Saturday in the Bertelsmann Stiftung's foyer.
"You received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you made good use of it," said Liz Mohn, president of NEUE STMMEN, giving the singers a concise appraisal of the 2014 master class. "We will continue to support you on your path," she promised.
Jan Voth
The master class participants with Liz Mohn (front row, fifth from right), Artistic Director Gustav Kuhn (front row, center) and instructors John Norris (front row, third from left) and Francisco Araíza (front row, fourth from right). (Photo: Jan Voth)
The NEUE STIMMEN International Master Class was launched in 1997 and takes place every two years, alternating with the NEUE STIMMEN International Singing Competition. Since its inception, some 140 up-and-coming opera talents have taken part. During the competition, jury members select participants, recommending them for the master class.
The young singers spend a week working on their voice, their expressive abilities and their stage presence – without the competitive pressure experienced during the competition. In addition, they consult with the master class's instructors on topics such as what to be aware of when signing a contract and how to find and work with a suitable management agency. They are also provided information on opera houses in Germany and other European countries, including their institutional structures and working methods.
This year's participants were Andres Carrillo (tenor, Mexico), Mihai Catinean (bass, Romania), Rihab Chaieb (mezzo-soprano, Canada), Aurora Faggioli (mezzo-soprano, Italy), Giorgi Goderdzishvili (bass, Georgia), Joseph Lim (baritone, South Korea), Raffaela Lintl (soprano, Germany), Patrícia Macák Solotruková (soprano, Slovakia), Aistė Pilibavičiūtė (soprano, Lithuania), Maria Popa (mezzo-soprano, Romania), Camila Titinger (soprano, Brazil) and Jonathan Winell (tenor, USA).
An additional musical rarity will be available to classical music fans in November. Since the ability to interpret and perform lieder – in addition to the standard opera and concert repertoire – is an integral part of a classical singer's training, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is organizing a Lied Master Class together with the Konzerthaus Berlin for the third time. The master class will take place November 10–16 in Gütersloh.
