Stage 2009
Even though the singers are the main focus of NEUE STIMMEN, many others contribute to the success of their big moment. While the Master of Ceremonies provides an entertaining accompaniment throughout the evening, the orchestra, conductor and pianists provide the contestants with active musical backing and for the first time we will have a movement teacher offering an audition workshop for interested singers who are not in the semifinals. All these participants will be introduced here:
The Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Founded in 1877, the Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Germany's leading orchestras. Max Reger, Hans Pfitzner and Paul Hindemith were among the most celebrated conductors of the early years and highlights included the first German performance of Bruckner's 9th symphony and Richard Strauss' "Death and Transfiguration" conducted by the composer himself.
Conductor: John Fiore
Since the 1999/2000 Season, John Fiore has been Chief Conductor of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf, Germany, and was the General Music Director of the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker from 2000 – 2008 as well. He was born in New York City in 1960 into a musical family: his father was a pianist and choral director and his mother a singer. At a very young age, he already had a large repertoire, and was hired as a coach-pianist by the Seattle Opera for Wagner’s Ring at the age of 14.
Pianists
The pianists are professional coaches
Master of Ceremonies: Holger Noltze
From 1990 onwards, he has been working for German radio broadcaster WDR-Hörfunk as a journalist and hosted the programs "Budengasse", "Mosaik", "Gutenbergs Welt", and "Musikpassagen" and also, from 1995, the late night talk "Letzte Worte".
Movement Coach: John Norris
John Norris was born in California and began his teaching career at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, CA, where he trained actors in movement and dance.
