ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Jennifer Larmore
Jennifer Larmore is an outstanding American mezzo-soprano who has parlayed operatic success in Europe into international stardom. Known for excelling in the coloratura roles of the baroque and bel canto, she may be heard on the major recording labels in over one hundred CDs to date earning her the distinction of being the most recorded mezzo of all time.
Following her European debut in 1986, her vocal talents, energetic acting and natural beauty quickly established her as an emerging star and the next years found her performing leading roles in the prestigious theaters of Paris, Vienna, Prague, London, Rome, Berlin, Madrid, Lisbon, Brussels, Geneva, Amsterdam, Milan, Tokyo, Melbourne, Seoul, Buenos Aires, and Salzburg.
In 1994, Larmore returned to the United States in a triumphant Carnegie Hall appearance as “Romeo” in Bellini’s CAPULETTI ED I MONTECCHI with OONY and Eve Queler. This success was followed by being chosen to receive the coveted Richard Tucker Award, and the subsequent debut at the Metropolitan Opera in her signature role as “Rosina” in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Since then, she has been a regular attraction at the Met, singing a wide range of roles from Handel’s Giulio Cesare to the world premiere of Tobias Picker’s An American Tragedy.
Recital and symphonic repertoire plays a large role in this busy mezzo’s career, with the works of Mahler, Schoenberg, Mozart, deFalla, Debussy, Berlioz, and Barber featuring prominently. World orchestras under the direction of such renowned conductors such as Muti, Levine, Lopez- Cobos, Bernstein, Runnicles, Sinopoli, Masur, von Dohnanyi, Jacobs, Spinosi, Guidarini, Kalmer, Rudel, Barrenboim, Queler, Mackerras, Bonyge, Maazel, Osawa, Hengelbrock and many others have worked very successfully with Jennifer Larmore.
Miss Larmore was the honored vocalist selected to close the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games with the singing of the “Olympic Hymn”; and, in 2002, Dr. Larmore (conferred by Westminster College of Princeton) was knighted by the French government with the title "Chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres" in recognition of her musical generosity to France.
Her recent release of Hansel and Gretel for Chandos won the 2008 Grammy for “Best Opera Recording” and she was awarded a commendation from the Governor of her home state of Georgia for her Grammy win and her contributions to the world of music.
Miss Larmore's busy schedule in 2009/10 is filled with operas such as Berg's LULU at London's Covent Garden and Madrid's Teatro Real, Saint-Saens' Samson and Dalilah, Thomas' Hamlet at the Metropolitan Opera and and Massenet's Don Quichotte at The Teatre de la Monnaie in Brussels as well as concerts with OpusFive and recitals and master classes in the US and Europe.
Sebastian Hamann
“The singer on the violin” has been widely acclaimed by the national and international press as an exceptional “ravishing” violinist.
His expressiveness is always marked by consummate sensitivity, artistry, expressive and tonal technique as well as an exquisite sense of musical phrasing.
As a “master of lyrical beauty” Sebastian Hamann, whose “uncommonly smooth, singing tone means real perfection” is often likened to famous stars like Gidon Kremer, Wolfgang Schneiderhan and Christian Tetzlaff.
As a recitalist, chambermusician and soloist with orchestra, he appeared on the major stages of Salzburg, Amsterdam, New York, Milan, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Baden-Baden, Copenhagen, Chicago, Stockholm, Lisbon, Hamburg, Cologne, Lucerne, Rome, Heidelberg, Nice, Parma, Munich and at the festivals of Schleswig-Holstein, Schwetzingen, Ravinia Festival, Cité de la Musique Paris, Bayreuth, Porto, Maulbronn, Sveg, and Beethoven Fest Bonn.
Orchestra collaborations include Philharmonic Orchestra Hamburg, German Radio Orchestra Cologne, Camerata Hanseatica, Opera Orchestra of Frankfurt, National Orchestra of Porto, Balthasar-Neumann-Ensemble, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, German Radio Orchestra Stuttgart, Festival Srings Lucerne, Camerata Hanseatica and others.
Among the collaborating partners - conductors, chamber music and concert partners - of Sebastian Hamann are well known artists like Isabel Charisius, Radu Lupu, Jennifer Larmore, Thomas Hengelbrock, Annette Dasch, Daniel Harding, Rudolf Buchbinder, Günter Wand, Paolo Carignani, Andrea Marcon, David Geringas, Rudolf Buchbinder, Marlis Peterson.
From 1989 to 2005 Sebastian Hamann was concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra Neuss, the Philharmonic Orchestra Luebeck and the Opera Orchestra of Frankfurt.
Sebastian Hamann is guestconcertmaster of the international Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
Sebastian Hamann is professor – violin and chamber music - at the conservatory of Lucerne in Switzerland.
OpusFive
As recitalists, chamber musicians and soloists the members of OpusFive have appeared on the major stages of Chicago, Salzburg, New York, Oslo, Malaga, Milan, Berlin, Kairo, G´dansk, Tokyo, Seoul, Paris, Madrid, Bologna, Baden-Baden, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Stockholm, Lisbon, Hamburg, Lyon, Brussels, Torino,Cologne, Lucerne, Rome, Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Paris, Nice, Parma and Munich. They have been featured at the festivals of Schleswig-Holstein, Schwetzingen, Chicago's Ravinia and Grant Park Festivals, Lucerne, Cité de la Musique Paris, Salzburg, Gstaad, Bayreuth, Porto, Sion, Maulbronn, Sveg, Rheingau, and Beethoven Fest Bonn among others.This wonderful new Quintet has come together for this special collaboration with Jennifer Larmore as world class musicians in their own right and each bring a unique musical and artistic personality to the group.
OpusFive is the “brainchild” of Sebastian Hamann and Davide Vittone. Jennifer came into the "mix" and for five hours Sebastian, Davide and Jennifer talked about program ideas, concepts, the reality of creating a group such as this and then came to the conclusion that it could be a wonderful way to perform together! A Real “Special Event!”
Choosing the right musicians for an ensemble is always a daunting task as you will be working very closely together and personalities must be complimentary. Sebastian, Jennifer, Davide, Miriam, Lisa and Hristo are all collaborative, smart, funny, dramatic and thoughtful people, each with their own personal and musical personalities. They work extremely well together and enjoy rehearsing!
The next step was repertoire. Duets for violin and voice have been done before but, for Soprano voice and Mezzo-- with the violin as the "other voice"--well, that's something they weren't quite sure would work. At the first rehearsal, all questions were answered! With Jennifer singing Mezzo and Sebastian as the other "voice", they quickly realized they had hit upon something unique and interesting. The duets, arias and songs they have chosen make up a beautiful program. Their main concern is that the audience is entertained and walk away happy. So, OpusFive tailors their programs for specific audiences in mind. Their opening program is a fusion between the sacred and secular so there is a wealth of repertoire for many different tastes. Please see the "Program" page on this site.
THE MUSICIANS OF OPUSFIVE
Sebastian Hamann -Violin
Miriam Mueller - Violin
Lisa Weiss- Viola
Hristo Kouzamov - Cello
Davide Vittone-Double Bass