Christof Fischesser

Bass Christof Fischesser, a native of Wiesbaden, studied under Martin Gründler at the Frankfurt Music School. In 2000 he won first prize in the National Song Competition in Berlin and was soon engaged as a member of the Karslruhe Staatstheater ensemble. Four years later, he moved to the Deutsche Staatsoper in Berlin. Christof Fischesser has since undertaken the great roles of his career there, including Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte, Escamillo in Carmen, Gremin in Eugene Onegin, Verdi’s Banquo and Ramfis, and, naturally, such Wagnerian assignments as King Marke, Klingsor, and the Landgrave Herrmann in Tannhäuser. He made his debut with the Bavarian Staatsoper in 2009 as King Heinrich in a new production of Lohengrin. In the 2009-10 season he made his debut at the Vienna Staatsoper as Basilio in Rossini’s Barbiere, followed in June 2010 by his first performance at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden as Des Grieux in Massenet’s Manon. Additionally he has appeared at the Zurich Opera as Rocco in Fidelio and has sung at the opera houses of Rome and Göteborg. Christof Fischesser is also in demand as a concert singer. Career highlights in the concert hall include three Beethoven projects: the Ninth Symphony with Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the Missa Solemnis with Kent Nagano and the Bavarian State Orchestra in Munich, and the Mass in C major with Fabio Luisi and the Vienna Symphony. And not to be forgotten is the performance of Mozart’s Requiem in which Fischesser partnered with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Claudio Abbado.

Christof Fischesser makes his LUCERNE FESTIVAL debut with this concert.

May 2010