Biographies of participants for the Final Round 2007
Àngeles Arce, Enrique —Mexico, baritone, *1977
Enrique attended the music conservatory in Mexico City through 2006, then the Francesco Venezze conservatory in Rovigo, Italy. In 2006, while in Italy, he sung the title role in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro in a production at the conservatory. He celebrated his debut in 2002 as Dottore Malatesta in Don Pasquale at the Teatro de las Artes del Centro Nacional de las Artes (CENART) in Mexico City. In 2007 he sung the role of Don Giovanni in the Auditorio Blas Galindo in CENART. Enrique has gained extensive concert stage experience, including as a soloist in Carmina Burana and the requiems of Verdi and Mozart. In 2007 he also performed as a soloist at Musica Sara in Latvia. Enrique is currently a member of the State Symphony Orchestra Chorus in Mexico. He has been learning German for several months.
Bakirci, Levent —Turkey, baritone, *1978
Levent was studying mechanical engineering at the university in Ankara until 2003. During this time, he took private voice lessons. From 2003 to 2005, he appeared on stage as soloist of the Istanbul State Opera in the roles of the Belcore in L´elsir d´amore and Starek in Jenufa. Levent sang the part of Cecco in Il Mondo della Luna at Teatro Verdi in Trieste in 2006. In the same year he joined the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) in Philadelphia. Levent has already appeared as Ottokar in Weber’s Der Freischütz as part of the AVA training program. In the coming season, he will appear in the roles of Don Alfonso and Germont. In 2002 he was priced as suitabe singer in the AsLiCo Milano. In 2005 Levent was a finalist in the Maria Kraja international opera competition in Tirana, and one year later he was a semifinalist in the Operalia competition.
Beyer, Jonathan —USA, baritone, *1981
Jonathan is currently in his final semester studying voice at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. He graduated with a Master’s degree from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in 2005. That same year, he won first prize in both the Marian Anderson Competition and the American Opera Society Competition. Noteworthy achievements this year include Jonathan’s engagement at the Mozart Festival in Aix-en-Provence and at the Chautauqua Institute. He also has an engagement for 2007/2008 at The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia. Jonathan has extensive American stage experience and a broad repertoire. He sings the roles of Marcello in La bohème, Germont in La traviata, Papageno in The Magic Flute and Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro.
Castillo, Moisés —Panama, countertenor, *1986
Moisés received his first voice lessons in 1995 with Edward Vernisiniz. He earned a degree in Fine Arts, Music and Vocal Performance from the University of Panama. He is currently studying with soprano Irena Sylya. In 2002 and 2003, he performed in several opera concerts of the Fundación Bel Canto, a production of Juan Carlos Tapia. In 2004 Moisés performed on stage in the role of Ramiro in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera, and in 2005 he sang the soprano role in Rossini’s Stabat Mater. Moisés is interested in cinema, martial arts and Baroque music. His role models include Birgit Nilsson, Nathalie Stutzmann and Montserrat Caballé.
Eremin, Igor —Russia, baritone, *1983
Igor is a student of Professor Loshak at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. At the age of 16, Igor won first prize at the Laureat vocal competition in Pirogova, Ukraine. This year he took part in the 13th International Tchaikovsky Competition. His repertoire includes the roles of Marcello in Puccini’s La bohème and Onegin in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin.
Fu, Qian —China, mezzo-soprano, *1984
Qian Fu has loved to sing since her childhood. In 2000 she began attending the Middle School associated with the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Following her graduation with distinction in 2003, she was admitted to the opera program at the Central Conservatory of Music. Qian Fu received instruction from renowned Chinese tenor and voice teacher Professor Honghai Ma, who for years has assisted in the preliminary rounds for Neue Stimmen in Beijing. Qian Fu has gained stage experience singing in performances of The Magic Flute and La traviata at the conservatory. Her role model is her father. Despite her attachment to Chinese culture and interest in the Beijing Opera, Qian Fu’s great desire is to study abroad.
Feulien, Gustavo —Argentina, baritone, *1978
Gustavo began his studies at the Julián Aguirre conservatory in Buenos Aires, first in guitar and later in voice. From 2005 until the summer of 2007 he studied vocal technique at the Instituto Superior de Arte of the Teatro Colón. His current teachers are Maestro Bruno Dástoli and Salvatore Caputo. Gustavo celebrated his stage debut in 2005 in the role of Don Giovanni. He has appeared in stage and concertant productions of La traviata and Rigoletto at the Instituto Superior and Fundación del Teatro Colón. In 2007 Gustavo reached the semifinals of the Hans Gabor Belvedere vocal competition in Vienna and was a finalist in the Montserrat Caballé competition in Zaragoza. In November Gustavo will perform the role of Figaro at a gala concert of the American Society in New York.
Gallardo, Sergio – Chile, bass baritone. *1975
Sergio studied at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música de la Universidad de Chile from 1996 to 2000, and was tutored by Fernando Lara in the subjects of Opera, song, chansons and chamber music. He then received instruction from Carlos Beltrami. At present, Sergio is a fixed member of the ensemble at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago, where he appeared last season as Hortensius in Donizetti's La fille du régiment and as Rodrigo in Verdi's Don Carlos. His stage debut was in 1999 as Benoit and Alcindoro in La Bohème. Sergio has a broad repertoire, and he adores Bach and Schubert in particular. In addition to his activities at the Teatro Municipal he is in the final year of his degree – in engineering.
Gashi, Krenare —Kosovo, soprano, *1985
Krenare was born in Priština. She began piano lessons at the age of thirteen and voice lessons one year later. After completing her schooling in 2003, she began her studies at the music department of the University of Priština. In 2004 she transferred to the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold. Krenare is now in her seventh semester of studies in the studio of Professor Gerhild Romberger. Krenare has already gained important operatic stage experience singing the role of Daphne in Handel’s Apollo and Daphne and Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen in productions at the opera school. In 2006 Krenare was awarded a scholarship from the Richard Wagner Stipendienstiftung. Krenare is already familiar to Gütersloh audiences from her performance at the final concert of the “Forum Lied” in mid October.
Halili, Jeffrey —Canada, tenor, *1978
Jeffrey has both Canadian and Filipino citizenship. He completed his vocal studies at Indiana University. Jeffrey continued his studies at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where he earned an Artist Diploma. During this time he appeared in various roles, including Monostatos in The Magic Flute, Don Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro and Loge in Das Rheingold. The role of Loge is his favorite, as it combines all his music, dramatic and vocal talents. Jeffrey won first prize at the 2004 Giargiari Bel Canto competition and the 2005 James Parkinson competition. Jeffrey keeps in shape with sports in his free time and enjoys playing poker.
Hanscom, Matthew —USA, lyrical baritone, *1982
Matthew was born in Plymouth, Minnesota. He earned the degrees of Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. During his studies, he appeared in numerous leading roles, including Falstaff, Gianni Schicchi and Eugene Onegin. Matthew has won numerous competitions. He has also gained stage experience in several renowned American training programs, including the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco and the Young Artist Program of the Chicago Opera Theater. His opera role models are Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Piero Cappuccilli and Sherrill Milnes. In his free time, Matthew enjoys table tennis, football and being with his girlfriend.
Huckle, Claudia – Great Britain, mezzo-soprano. *1982
Claudia attended the Royal College of Music in London, the New England Conservatory in Boston and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
She is currently a member of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program at the Washington National Opera. As part of the program, she is starring as Irene in Tamerlano, Second Maid in Elektra, La Contessa in Verdi’s Rigoletto and Zerinla in Don Giovanni in Washington this season. Claudia gained concert experience as a soloist in Mozart’s Requiem, touring with the Monteverdi Choir, which was directed by Sir John Eliot Gardiner. In 2004, Claudia came in first in the final concert of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Claudia worked as a street musician to finance her studies, singing arias in market squares in Italy and Britain.
Jung, Joo-Hee —Korea, lyric soprano, *1978
Joo-Hee was born in Seoul. When she was only seven, her voice attracted attention in a children’s choir, and four years later she was singing in an international choir. Since her childhood, she has had a love for German lieder and dreamed of studying in Germany. In 2001 she earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Dankook University in Seoul. Since then she has performed as a soloist in Carmina Burana and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in several Korean cities. In 2004 Joo-Hee continued her training with Francisco Araíza at the Staatlichen Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Stuttgart. She joined the International Opera Studio at the Zurich Opera House with the 2007/2008 season. This year Joo-Hee won second prize at the Montserrat Caballé international voice competition in Zaragoza.
Karanas, Daveda —USA, mezzo-soprano, *1979
Daveda Karanas graduated with a Master of Music degree from Arizona State University. In 2006 she was a member of the Young Artist Program at the Music Academy of the West. In 2007 she took part in the Chicago Opera Theater Young Artists Program and was a member of the Merola Opera Program at the San Francisco Opera. She has appeared in Chicago in the role of Ericlea in Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria and in San Francisco as Tisbe in La Cenerentola. Daveda has won numerous distinctions at various competitions in the United States. Two of her favorite roles are Judith in Duke Bluebeard’s Castle and Princess Eboli in Don Carlo.
Karg, Christiane – Germany, soprano. *1980
Christiane started taking singing lessons at the Dinkelsbühl College of Music when she was just 15 years old. In 1998, she was awarded the German Federal Prize for Old Music at the Jugend musiziert competition. She studied vocal performance, song/oratorio and opera/music theatre with Professor Wolfgang Holzmair at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg until 2006. She graduated with distinction, receiving the Lili Lehmann Medal as a result. During her time at the university, she spent four months in Verona as an Erasmus student. She has been a member of the opera studio at the State Opera in Hamburg since January 2007. She debuted at the Salzburg Festival in 2006 and starred in two additional performances in Salzburg in 2007. Christiane is a longstanding member of the choir of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and has participated in master-level classes taught by Grace Bumbry and Mirella Freni.
Ke, Lvwa —China, soprano, *1979
From 1998 to 2003 Lvwa Ke studied at the Central Music Academy in Beijing. During her studies, she had the opportunity to participate in an international master class in Italy. She also sang in the world première in France of Symphony Dielianhua by the Chinese-French composer Chen Qigang. Her extensive stage experience includes a 2005 collaboration with the composer Ye Xiaogang and the China Philharmonic Orchestra in Beijing. She joined the orchestra on tour to the United States, Italy, Great Britain and Germany. Lvwa Ke has appeared on stage in various opera companies in China in the roles of Violetta, Despina and Pamina. In 2006 she won second prize in the Madama Butterfly international competition in Nagasaki.
Kim, Sung-Kon – Korea, baritone. *1975
Sung-Kon was born in Seoul and studied vocal studies at the Kyung-Hee University. He then came to Berlin and was tutored by KS Heinz Reeh at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin until he graduated in 2007. During this period he took to the stage as Figaro, Marcello and Rodrigo de Posa. In 2006 the young baritone received a scholarship from the Richard Wagner Association. At a podium for young artists he held a solo concert with the Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra. Sung-Kon was among the prize-winners at the international Schloss Rheinsberg chamber opera festival. He sang the role of Ford in Verdi's Falstaff during the performance in the 2007 festival summer. In April of this year he performed as Alonso in the German premiere of Zděnek Fibich's The Storm at the Bielefeld Theater.
Kizart, Takesha – USA, soprano. *1977
Takesha Kizart is the great-niece of Muddy Waters, the blues musician. She was born in Chicago and appeared on stage for the first time at age 2. She is in her fourth year as the Artist in Residence at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and in 07/07 she will appear as Ameila in Un ballo in maschera, Leonore in La forza del destino, Manon in Manon Lescaut, and Violetta in La Traviata. The soprano has been honored by a host of international institutions and competitions; in 2006 she reached the finals of the Competizione dell'Opera in Dresden. Takesha will soon be appearing at the Bremen Theater and Frankfurt Opera.
Kungurov, Evgeny —Russia, baritone, *1983
Evgeny has been a scholarship recipient at the New Names Charity Foundation in Moscow since 2005. He started his musical education playing the accordion. He began studying voice at the Moscow Conservatory College of Music in 2000 and completed his studies in 2007 with a Master’s degree from the Moscow State Conservatory. He won the International Vocal Competition in Astana, Kazakhstan, in 2006 and currently studies with Dmitry Vdovin. Evgeny sang the title role in Rachmaninov’s Aleko in a concertant performance with the Russian National Orchestra under Mikhail Pletnev at the art festival La 68 Quincena Musical de San Sebastian in Spain. He also won first prize in the 2004 Bella Voce Competition in Moscow and the 2006 Obukhova National Competition in Moscow.
Lewis, Alexander – Australia, baritone. *1982
Alexander graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth at the top of his class in 2004. While attending the university, he sang the title role in Monteverdi’s L´Orfeo. He was nominated as best performer for the title role in Titanic - The Musical. Alexander has been playing the role of Anthony Hope in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd at the Opera Australia throughout 2007. He received numerous awards and prizes in 2006. The Opera Foundation Australia’s prestigious New York Study Award enabled him to work at the Metropolitan Opera for two months. Alexander’s favorite roles include Billy Budd, Hamlet and Rigoletto. As a born-and-bred Australian, he is passionate about sports events and loves drinking beer!
Liu, Yang —China, mezzo-soprano, *1981
Yang Liu has earned a Master’s degree in voice from the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing. In 2006, during her studies, she took part in a master class and performed in the final concert. She received a scholarship in 2002 that enabled her to study at the Xinghai Conservatory. During this time she won second prize in the conservatory’s Campus Culture Festival. In 2006 she won a special prize at the Golden Five-Star Cup voice competition in Beijing. Yang Liu is an accredited teacher.
Machado, Maria Florencia—Argentina, mezzo-soprano, *1983
Florencia first appeared on stage at the age of sixteen. She sang the role of the shepherd in Tosca at the El Círculo theater in her home city of Rosario. There she studied at the conservatory and earned a degree as a voice teacher. She also received piano and organ lessons from her father Luis Ángel Machado. A scholarship enabled her to study with Guillermo Opitz in Buenos Aires. In 2005 Florencia won first prize in the Concurso Mozarteum in Santa Fe and first prize in the Concurso Somaschini in Rosario. In the 2007 season, she participated in the Juventus Lyrica young artists program at the Teatro Avenida in Buenos Aires. Florencia is currently studying voice with Ana Sirulnik at the Instituto Superior de Arte at the Teatro Colón.
Maxym, Kala —USA, mezzo-soprano, *1979
Kala studied political science at Columbia University before working for the Justice Department in Washington. During this time she pursued her passion of classical singing and began a Master’s degree at the Boston Conservatory. Kala is currently in her second year in the Young Artists Program of the Chicago Opera Theater, where she has sung the role of Béatrice in Berlioz’s Béatrice et Bénédict. Her debut came in 2007 as Giovanna in Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Opera Santa Barbara. In 2006 she won the Hawai’i Public Radio Song Contest, and in 2007 she was a finalist in the Les Azuriales Opera Voice Competition. Her opera stage debut was in 2005 as Nefertiti in Philip Glass’ Akhnaten—a role that remains one of her favorites.
Mlinde, Vuyani – South Africa, bass. *1980
Vuyani started studying vocal studies at the Free State Musicon in South Africa. From 2004 to 2005 he received a scholarship for the Royal College of Music in London, and in 2006 he received a further scholarship for the Benjamin Britten International Opera School, also at the RCM. He made his professional debut as Palemon in Britten's Thais at the Grange Park Opera, Winchester. He recently appeared on stage with the British Youth Opera as Comtur and Prince Gremin. His current engagements include his roles as Bartolo for the RCM and Sarastro for Leeds-based Opera North. He has been a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House since September. In 2007 he was awarded the highly acclaimed Clonter Opera Prize. Vuyani is sponsored by the Peter Moorse Foundation.
Murrihy, Paula – Ireland, mezzo-soprano. *1978
A native of Ireland, Paula Murrihy received a John Moriaty stipendium for the New England Conservatory in Boston, where she graduated with a Master of Vocal Performance degree. Paula has participated in a host of training programs. The last of these was as a Young Artist in the Merola Opera Program at the San Fransisco Opera. Prior to this, she took part in similar programs at the Saint Loius and Santa Fe operas. Paula played second lady in Mozart’s Magic Flute in Santa Fe. In addition, she sang the lead roles in Handel’s Ariodante and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. As part of the Tanglewood Season, she will sing the alto solo in Haydn’s Mass in Time of War. She will appear at the Boston Opera for the first time in January 2008 as Ino in Handel’s Semele.
Novikova, Julia —Russia, coloratura soprano, *1983
Julia was born in St. Petersburg and began her musical training at the age of five. She received piano and flute lessons and sang in a choir. After her schooling, she began studying voice at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. She graduated with honors in 2006. As a member of the conservatory’s ensemble, she sang the roles of Marfa, Violetta and Susanna. In 2006 she performed the role of Flora in a production of Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw conducted by Valery Gergiev. That same year she was awarded third prize in the Wilhelm Stenhammar International Music Competition in Sweden. Julia has been an ensemble member at the Musiktheater Dortmund since the 2006/2007 season. There she has appeared as Gilda, one of her favorite roles.
Micaëla Oeste—Germany, soprano, *1981
Micaëla completed her vocal studies at Northwestern University in Chicago. In the spring of 2007 she participated in the Young Artists program of the Chicago Opera Theater, where she sang the role of Giunone in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria. At the same time, Micaëla appeared as a soloist at the Kennedy Center in New York. In 2006 she won first prize at the American Friends of Austria Music Award Competition for Singers. Before studying in Chicago, Micaëla was a Young Artist at Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts in Arkansas. There she sang the role of Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel. Micaëla has engagements for the 2007/2008 season at the Opera Santa Barbara and Opera Tampa Bay.
Toru Onoma – Japan, baritone. *1978
Toru finished his musical science studies at Tokai University in 2001. During a student exchange program with Tokai University, Toru studied German as a foreign language at Berlin's Humboldt University. During this period, he received vocal tuition from Hartmut Kretzschmann and Klaus Häger. He then continued his vocal studies course at Tokai University. Finally, he wrote his master’s dissertation on "Robert Schuman: Liederkreis op 39". In 2005, Toru participated in the Japan Vocal Competition, taking third place. In the following year he was a finalist in the 75th Japan Music Competition. Toru is very much looking forward to coming back to Germany.
Opolais, Kristine —Latvia, soprano, *1979
Kristine began her musical training at the age of seven, singing in a choir and taking piano lessons. While studying voice at the Jãzeps Vĩtols Latvian Music Academy, she was accepted into the chorus of the Riga State Opera. In 2003 Kristine was a finalist in the Ferruccio Tagliavini voice competition, after which she received an engagement as a soloist in Riga. Her roles there included Musetta, Tatjana and Tosca. She debuted at Berlin’s Staatsoper Unter den Linden in the title role of Tosca in 2006. In March 2008 Kristine will return to Berlin to appear in the role of Polina in Prokofiev’s The Gambler under Maestro Barenboim. She will perform the same role in July 2008 in Milan’s La Scala.
Pearson, Emma —Australia, soprano, *1980
Emma completed her vocal studies at the University of Western Australia in 2001. This was followed by two years of instruction at the Australian Opera Studio training program, where she graduated with honors. She received her first engagement in 2004 at the New Zealand Opera, where she won numerous awards and distinctions. A scholarship brought her to the Hessisches Staatstheater in Wiesbaden, Germany, where she has sung as a soloist for the past three years. Emma has appeared on stage in Wiesbaden as Adele in Die Fledermaus, as Blonde in The Abduction from the Seraglio and as Woglinde, Waldvogel and Gerhilde in Der Ring des Nibelungen.
Poulis, Lee —USA, baritone, *1980
Lee made his debut at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, the Teatro Real in Madrid, the Los Angeles Opera and the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf in the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 seasons. Lee is a graduate of Harvard and a past participant in the Merola Opera Program of the San Francisco Opera and the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program of the Washington National Opera. His broad repertoire includes the roles of Marcello and Schaunard in La bohème, the Count in The Marriage of Figaro, Germont in La traviata and Papageno in The Magic Flute. Lee is also an enthusiastic interpreter of lieder. He has performed in Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, Brahms’ German Requiem and Haydn’s Missa in Augustiis in the United States and China.
Prudnikovaitė, Ieva —Lithuania, mezzo-soprano, *1983
Ieva is in her second year of Master’s studies at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. This year she has already twice won first prize in national competitions in Lithuania. Ieva was awarded a special prize by the jury at the 2006 international vocal competition of the Helga and Paul Hohnen Foundation in Cologne, Germany. In the 2006/2007 season, she sang the roles of Curra in Verdi’s La forza del destino and Rossweisse in Wagner’s Die Walküre at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. She gained her first stage experience at the age of five singing with her parents, who are both musicians. At the time, she already had a repertoire that included Mozart arias and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Fernando Javier Radó—Argentina, bass, *1986
Fernando joined the children’s chorus of the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires at the age of eleven. There he received instruction in vocal technique, repertoire and song. He is currently studying at the Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón, where he is the youngest member of the chorus. Fernando gained his first stage experience in 2006 through the young artists program of the non-profit organization Juventus Lyrica, singing the role of The Speaker in Mozart’s Magic Flute at the Teatro Avenida. Performances in 2007 included Sparafucile in Verdi’s Rigoletto and Le Fauteuil and L’Arbre in Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges. Fernando has been awarded scholarships from the Mozarteum Argentino Buenos Aires, the Teatro Colón and Juventus Lyrica.
Rebeka,Marina —Latvia, soprano, *1980
Marina, a Latvian native, began her vocal studies in Riga, continued at the Arrigo Boito conservatory in Parma in 2002 and completed her studies in 2006 at the Academy of St. Cecilia in Rome. The soprano has appeared not only in numerous concerts and recitals in her home country but also as a guest artist in Rome and Parma. In Italy she won first prize in two international voice competitions. In the 2007/2008 season, she is appearing on stage as Violetta in La traviata at the Theater Erfurt. She earned critical acclaim this June for her German debut and debut in this role. From February to July 2008, Marina will appear at Berlin’s Komische Oper in the role of Agilea in Handel’s Teseo.
Seilius, Edmundas —Lithuania, tenor, *1975
Edmundas earned a Master’s degree from the Academy of Music in Vilnius. He joined the Jeunes Voix du Rhin training program at the Strasbourg Opera for the 2007/2008 season. During the 2006/2007 season, he studied with Vinson Cole at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Edmundas celebrated his operatic debut in the role of Eurimaco in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria as a Young Artist at the Chicago Opera Theater. Edmundas sang in concerts of Mozart with Maestro Graeme Jenkins and the Dallas Opera Orchestra as part of the Dallas Opera Emerging Artists Program in 2006.
Shmulevich, Pavel – Russia, bass. *1982
Pavel joined the Mariinsky Theater’s Young Singers Academy at the very start of his studies at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg. Since appearing as Antonio in Il viaggio a Reims in 2001 under the direction of Yury Bashmet, Pavel has sung lead roles in various productions at the Mariinsky Theater. He has made guest appearances directed by Valery Gergiev in France, Finland and London together with his company. In addition to his work in St. Petersburg, Pavel has made guest appearances in both opera houses and concerts. He has won prizes at various international competitions. In 2007, he was invited to the International Achievement Summit in Washington, a summit for new talent in the arts and sciences
Torre, Diego —Mexico, tenor, *1979
Diego has been a member of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program at the Los Angeles Opera since September. Prior to that, Diego studied under Maestro Rufino Montero at the Escuela de Música des Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico. Diego has gained stage experience as a soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Verdi’s Requiem with the Acapulco Philharmonic Orchestra. Diego celebrated his operatic stage debut on the stage of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico as Gaston in Verdi’s La traviata. He took part in numerous competitions in Mexico in 2003, winning second prize at the Nicolás Urcelay Competition, third prize at the Carlo Morelli Competition and first prize at the Francisco Araíza Competition. Diego is a two-time participant in the Summer Opera Program of the Ezio Pinza Council for American Singers of Opera (EPCASO), where he studied with Claudia Pinza, Enza Ferrari and Maria Chiara.
Venegas, Fabiola —Mexico, soprano *1978
Fabiola studied at the Conservatory of Music in Mexico City. She is currently preparing for her exam recital with which she will earn the degree of Licenciado en Cantante de Òpera y de Concierto. During her studies, she has appeared on stage at the conservatory in the roles of Pamina and Adina. Fabiola celebrated her professional stage debut in the role of Nedda in Leoncavallo’s I pagliacci at the Teatro Juarez in Guanajuato. In 2003 she took part in an in-depth young artists program at the Portland Opera in Oregon (USA). In 2005 she won second prize in the Carlo Morelli national competition in Mexico. Fabiola is a student of Luis Ledesma and Alicia Cascante.
Villegas, Rubén Mora – Mexico, tenor. *1978
Rubén started his vocal training at the state institute for culture in Guanajuato. He went on to study at an opera workshop, where he was tutored by Miguel Torres for two years. In 2006, Rubén sang at the Nicolás Urcelay competition in Mexico, taking second place. He was given the opportunity to sing in honor of Placido Domingo at a dinner – one of the highlights of his singing career to date. Rubén was a finalist in the Carlo Morelli competition in the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico in August 2006 and September 2007. Rubén is currently in his third year of studying at the Centro Morelense de las Artes in Cuernavaca in Mexico.
Wang, Yali – China, soprano. *1981
Yali Wang completed her bachelor's degree with honors in opera performance at the China Conservatory in Peking in 2005. She then obtained a place as a graduate student. She sang in master classes by the Korean Se Zeng Hak and was tutored by Kathryn Wright from the Boston Conservatory. During her studies she was honored with the Excellent Student prize in 2002. She received a scholarship in 2003. This year she successfully participated in the 6th Jinzhong Award of China Voice Competition. Yali Wang would like to avail of every opportunity to develop further as an artist.
Wang, YinXiao – China, soprano. *1985
YinXiao Wang is 22 years old, from the south of China, and has a very lively personality. She has been studying vocal arts since the age of 17 and is currently in her senior year at the China Conservatory of Music in Peking. She has already won second prize twice at the National Vocal Music Competition. In addition to her vocal studies, she also paints. Her favorite singers include Montserrat Caballé and Natalie Dessay.
Watanabe, Aimi – Japan, soprano. *1980
Aimi studied at the Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo, graduating with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music. While attending the university, she starred in Mozart’s Così fan tutte as Fiordiligi and in Puccini’s La Bohème as Mimi. She won First Prize at the Tama Flesh Concert in 2006
Watson, Anita – Australia, soprano. *1980
Following her graduation with a Bachelor’s degree in Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Anita participated in the Australian Opera Studio in Perth. In 2005, she won not only the Australian Singing Competition but also the German Operatic Award. The latter prize gave her the opportunity to participate in the Opera Studio of the Cologne Opera. In September 2007, Anita started a two-year stint as a Young Artist at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, where she will make her debut as the flower girl in Parsifal and First Lady in The Magic Flute.
Yakimov, Alexey – Russia, bass. *1985
Alexey studied piano and choir conduction at the Choral Academy Moscow. In 2005, he participated in one of the most prestigious vocal training programs in Russia at the Moscow International School of Vocal Art. His professors there included Sergei Leiferkus, Rudolf Piernay and Giandomenico Bisi. In 2005, he made his debut at the Moscow International House of Music in Honegger’s Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher. Alexey gained international experience performing with the Choir of the Choral Academy Moscow at the Rheingau Music Festival as well as through a guest performance at the Alte Oper Frankfurt. He was awarded first prize at the International Delphic Games in Astana, Kazakhstan, in 2006.
Zhou, Yanfen – China, mezzo-soprano. *1985
Yanfen Zhou is currently studying at the China Conservatory of Music in Peking. She is one of the leading students in the conservatory’s opera class, where she is taught by Zhao Jing and Zhang Keyao. She played the role of Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro at a university performance in 2007. Yanfen Zhou gave a highly successful solo concert in the conservatory’s opera department in 2005. Yanfen Zhou won first prize in the China Shandong Province Youth Singer Award, a competition hosted by the Shandong Musicians Association. At present, she is preparing to participate in NEUE STIMMEN as well as the Chinese Golden Bell Award competition, which will be held at the end of this year.
