Abstract
During the Advent season, with the generous support of Zürich Versicherung and the Friends of Zurich Opera, we present the series Curtain Call. Prominent singers will join the young talents of the International Opera Studio on an equal footing and together create a concert evening. During a three-day workshop, Diana Damrau, Anna Bonitatibus, Thomas Hampson and Benjamin Bernheim will work with the young singers on key works from the vocal repertoire, scenes from 18th and 19th century operas, and classic Lieder repertoire. The results will be presented live on stage to a small audience. The 50 spectators in attendance will have the unique opportunity to follow the concert from an unusual perspective. This concert series is also the prelude to our anniversary year - 60 years Friends of Zurich Opera and 60 years International Opera Studio.
Mezzo-soprano Anna Bonitatibus is at home in the baroque and bel canto repertoire. On 15 December, she will open the series with works by Rossini and Mozart, together with the young singers of the International Opera Studio. On 16 December, rising star Benjamin Bernheim and the young artists follow with arias and scenes from Verdi's Rigoletto and Massenet’s Manon and Werther. On 17 December, star soprano Diana Damrau gets in the mood for Christmas and joins the International Opera Studio to present songs by Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms. Last but not least, Thomas Hampson and the young singers will present scenes from Mozart's Così fan tutte and selected songs by Haydn, Beethoven, and Schubert on 18 December.
All concerts will be recorded with several cameras. In addition, a camera team will accompany all the artists during the workshops and observe the development of the musical program backstage. These impressions will be presented as short documentaries. The Curtain Call concerts and documentaries will be digitally broadcast over Christmas and New Year via our homepage.