Top Performers Announced for Enescu Festival: Asmik Grigorian, Sonya Yoncheva, and Kristine Opolais to Grace the Stage
This year's George Enescu International Festival, the grandest classical music event in Romania, is set to mesmerize with some of the world's finest sopranos and mezzo-sopranos from August 24 to September 21 in Bucharest. Here's a glimpse of the stellar lineup:
The enchanting soprano, Asmik Grigorian, will grace the stage of the Romanian Athenaeum on August 31, performing works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Enescu, and Ravel, accompanied by pianist Lukas Geniušas.
Sonya Yoncheva, hailed as the 2021 Opus Klassik winner for "Singer of the Year," will enchant in an event as part of the Athenaeum Concert Series, accompanied by the National Radio Orchestra on September 21.
Soprano Kristine Opolais will take on the title role in the in-concert version of Dmitri Shostakovich's "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk" on September 14 at the Palace Hall. She performs alongside the National Radio Orchestra and Academic Radio Choir, under the direction of conductor Giancarlo Guerrero. Opolais will be joined by a host of talented artists, including bass Andreas Bauer Kanabas, tenor Vincent Wolfsteiner, tenor Pavel Černoch, mezzo-sopranos Maria Barakova, and Michelle Trainor.
Mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, accompanied by the Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Harding, will captivate audiences on August 30 at the Palace Hall. The program includes Luciano Berio's "Folk Songs," the symphonic work "La Mer" by Debussy, and "Sinfonia" by Luciano Berio.
Julia Lezhneva will captivate with her recital on September 20 at the Romanian Athenaeum during the Midnight Concert Series. The setlist will feature arias, madrigals, and songs by Italian composers like Giulio Caccini, Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Vivaldi, and Giovanni Paisiello, with lutenist Luca Pianca providing the accompaniment.
Soprano Sarah Aristidou will bring her magic to a performance on September 2 alongside Les Siècles, conducted by Franck Ollu. The program will include works by Debussy, Ravel's "Pavane pour une infante défunte," and Enescu's Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major.
Well-known soprano Jennifer Holloway will dazzle audiences as Salomè in the in-concert version of Richard Strauss's "Salomè." She will take the stage on September 1 with the WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne, under the baton of Cristian Măcelaru, alongside a talented cast, including baritone Iain Paterson, mezzo-soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, tenors Gerhard Siegel and Oleksiy Palchykov.
The 27th edition of the George Enescu International Festival marks 70 years since the death of composer George Enescu and features over 95 concerts throughout the festival, promising a diverse and captivating musical experience for all.
In 2025, Asmik Grigorian, a celebrated soprano, will perform a recital at the Romanian Athenaeum, showcasing works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Enescu, and Ravel, as part of the grand George Enescu International Festival, held in Romania.
Julia Lezhneva, a soprano known for her captivating performances, will present a recital featuring Italian composers' works during the Midnight Concert Series, contributing to the festival's extensive lineup of entertainment.
Soprano Sarah Aristidou will enchant audiences with her performance of works by Debussy, Ravel, and Enescu, accompanied by Les Siècles, during the 27th edition of the George Enescu International Festival in Romania, adding to the incredible array of musical talent showcased throughout the event.
