ARTISTS 2024

Aurélie Bremond

Soprano

Aurélie did her studies in France : Reims, Paris, Avignon, then she studied at HEMU (Haute Ecole de Musique de Lausanne) in Switzerland where she has just finished her Master with Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet.

She won the Second price in the Concours International Bellan (France) and 3rd price and Public price in the Concours International de Béziers (France).

She already had the opportunity to sing rolse such as: Philomèle in « Le roi l’a dit » by Delibes at the Opéra of Avignon, The Princesse Laoula in « L’étoile » by Chabrier at the Opéra of Avignon, Susanna in « Le Nozze di Figaro » by Mozart at the Théâtre of Pézenas and Despina in « Cosi fan tutte » by Mozart at the Opéra of Lausanne. Next October, she will be again be performing on the stage at the Opéra of Lausanne, singing Giannetta in « L’Elisir d’amore » by Donizetti and Noémie in Cendrillon by Massenet this year.

www.aureliebremond.com

Luise Breyer-Aiton

Lyric-dramatic Soprano

The British/German soprano was a young artist at the Greek Opera Studio in 2017 and made her Donn’Anna debut at the Aegean Festival in Greece. She recently sung at Welsh National Opera, and dang her debut as Rosalinde at the 2016 Trentino Music Festival, being a Young Artist with the Opera Performance Studio of the Music Academy International and gave her role debut as Ariadne in Ariadne auf Naxos in Berlin. This follows a successful season at Grange Park Opera covering Ellen Orford, in Jeremy Sams’s production of Britten’s Peter Grimes, conducted by Stephen Barlow. Also for Grange Park Opera, she sang in Anthony McDonald’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades, conducted by Gianluca Marciano.

Luise recently changed from lyric mezzo to soprano and is now working with the American dramatic Soprano Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet, in the past with the British mezzo-soprano Anne-Marie Owens, as well as Peter Nilsson, Phillip Thomas, Michael Pollock and Jonathan Ware and Barbara Bonney in Salzburg.

This season, Luise will make her debut in Geneva at the Grand Théâtre de Genève in Nabucco, Don Carlos and Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.

 Prior, she covered & sang the roles of Flora and Annina in a Jonathan Miller production of Verdi’s La Traviata, conducted by Phillip Thomas, at Dorset Opera Festival. Luise gave her solo debut as Lay sister in Puccini’s Suor Angelica with the same company, and she made her Berlin debut, singing the role of Junge Robbe in the world premiere of Susanne Stelzenbach’s contemporary opera Die UnterwasserOper.

Her heartfelt passion for performances has led to regular concert appearances in opera, oratorio and Lied across the UK and Germany. Luise has sung in master classes with, amongst others, Rosalinde Plowright, Barbara Bonney, Sir Jonathan Miller, Diana Montague, David Rendall, Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet, Anne-Marie Owens, Rosa Mannion, Gerd Uecker, John Streets, Ian Partridge, Linda Esther Gray. She has a bachelor degree in Music (voice performance) and Modern Languages from Cardiff University, Wales.

A qualified massage therapies, hypnosis coach and body voice coach, she created and established the VoiceRelease Massage and Hypno Massage as well as body voice coaching and regularly works with some of the world’s leading opera singers. 

Luise is the founder, General & Artistic director of Indemini Festival, which as been a childhood dream of her, now in its 9th year! Dreaming big! More to come!

www.voicereleasemassage.com

Trevor Brown

Tenor

American Tenor, Trevor Brown, studies Classical Voice at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet.

Trevor has been a frequent artist with Connecticut Lyric Opera, having sung select roles and covers for mainstage productions. In collaboration with CvA, he sang in their production of L’enfant et les Sortilèges, and as a concert soloist at the Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ in Amsterdam. As a competitor in classical voice competitions, Trevor was a finalist in the Charleston International Music Competition, CT NATS and The American Prize collegiate divisions.

Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet

Dramatic Soprano

Jeanne-Michèle has established herself as a leading force in the German and contemporary repertoires. Having begun her singing Italian and ‘spinto’ Russian roles, she has naturally progressed into the more dramatic German soprano – and more recently ‘Zwischenfach’ – repertoire. Her intense stage presence has been widely praised by critics, with the New York Times proclaiming her a ‘spine-chillingly powerful’ performer. Recent career highlights include the 2012 release as the title role in Strauss’ Elektra with the London Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Valery Gergiev; Isolde in Geneva (on DVD), Madrid, Teatro San Carlo, Naples, and Dallas; the title role of Ariane et Barbe-bleue in Barcelona (on DVD) and Dijon; Judith in Bluebeard’s Castle for Nantes, Angers, and Paris; Leonore in Fidelio at the Teatro San Carlo; Katerina Izmailova in Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk for the Florence May Festival (on DVD) and Teatro Municipal de Santiago; Goneril in King Lear for Frankfurt, Elektra for Deutsche Oper Berlin, Edinburgh International Festival, and LSO under Maestro Valery Gergiev; and Cassandre in Les Troyens for Opéra National de Paris. In Europe, Charbonnet has appeared at major opera houses including the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona; La Monnaie, Brussels; Opéra National de Paris; Teatro Real, Madrid; Oper Frankfurt; Opéra National de Bordeaux; Deutsche Oper Berlin; Teatro Comunale di Firenze; Teatro La Fenice, Teatro San Carlo; Opéra National du Rhin; Bregenz Festival. Her major roles include Ortrud in Lohengrin (Frankfurt, Dallas Opera, and Teatro Municipal de Santiago); Kundry in Parsifal (Opéra National du Rhin, Zatertag Matinée, Amsterdam); Venus in Tannhäuser (Grand Théâtre de Genève, Théâtre du Capitole deToulouse); Sieglinde in Die Walküre (Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Real, Madrid, and Dallas Opera); Brünnhilde in Der Ring des Nibelungen (Opéra National du Rhin, Teatro Real, Madrid), Kostelnicka in Jenufa (La Monnaie, Brussels), Senta in Der Fleigende Holländer (Teatro Comunale, Bologna, San Francisco Opera, Ópera Colorado, La Fenice). Her portrayal of Isolde was described in Opera magazine as ‘every inch the passionate Irish princess, at first a bundle of fury, then wholly possessed by the love potion. Her soprano smouldered hotly below, blazed thrillingly on high.’ In total Ms. Charbonnet has performed well over 75 lead roles. Charbonnet’s concert repertoire includes Schoenberg’s Erwartung with Jukka-Pekka Saraste in Cologne(CD), Royal BBC Orchestra Scotland with Matthias Pintscher, in Holland with Susanna Mälkki, and Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass with Pierre Boulez at the BBC Proms.

www.JeanneMicheleCharbonnet.com

Thalia Cook-Hansen

Soprano

Thalia Cook-Hansen is currently completing her masters in Amsterdam at the Dutch National Opera Academy in the studio of Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet. Recent debuts include Lucia in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor at the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival in Sicily, with conductor Kamal Khan, Barbarina from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro at the Estates Theater in Prague with conductor Timothy Long, Mademoiselle Silberklang in Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor, and Erste Dame in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Thalia has performed solo and ensemble works in various venues around cities in New England, Ontario, Germany, Czechia, Austria, and The Netherlands. She has also performed for numerous masters of voice including Adrianne Pieczonka, Joyce El-Khoury Gerald Finley, Warren Jones, Bryan Wagorn, and more. With the Dutch National Opera Academy, Thalia has performed as Singer #1 in Conrad Susa’s Transformations, Adele and Rosaline in scenes from Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Amore in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, and in The Concertgebouw Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer.

Raísa Ierone

Soprano

The young singer was born in Lucerne and began her studies at the Lucerne School of Music, where she graduated as the top student and won the Strebi Memorial Prize. Since September 2022, she has been a member of the Swiss Opera Studio, where she is currently completing her internship at TOBS and studying with Tanja Ariane Baumgartner. She performed as Dorabella in "Così fan tutte", in Mahlers "des Knaben Wunderhorn", as Serpetta in „la finta Giardiniera“ and made her debut at the KKL as a soloist in Mozart's Requiem and Coronation Mass. She performes regularly in Lied Duo and Oratorio.

www.raisaierone.com

Claudia Mackay

Soprano

Australian soprano Claudia Mackay is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (SydCon) and holds an impressive academic record, including a Master of Music in Opera Performance (2021), a Graduate Diploma in Classical Voice (2019), and a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance (2018).

Claudia has been part of the Swiss Opera Studio in Biel since September 2023 and is currently undertaking her Master of Arts in Specialized Opera Performance under the tutelage of Claude Eichenberger at the Hochschule der Künste, Bern.

Claudia's achievements have been recognized through various scholarships, including 'The Prue Kennard Scholarship' (2023), 'The Pacific Opera Growth Scholarship' (2023), 'The Forbes Award for Female Singer in the Opera School' (2022), and 'The Bud Brown Memorial Scholarship for Merit' (2020).

In 2023, She was selected as a Young Artist for the Sydney based Young Artist Program ‘Pacific Opera Studio’. Her staged performances include Zerlina in Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' (Pacific Opera Studio), Taumännchen in Humperdinck's 'Hänsel & Gretel' (Berlin Opera Academy's 2022 Opernfest), Tytania in Britten's 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' (SydCon x NIDA 2021) directed by Kate Gaul, Muse & Nymph in Cavalli’s ‘Gli amori d’Apollo e di Dafne’ (Debut with Pinchgut Opera 2021) directed by Mitchell Butel & conducted by Dr Erin Helyard, and Noémie in Massenet’s ‘Cendrillon’ (SydCon 2020) directed by Kate Gaul.

Claudia's concert repertoire includes featuring as a soloist for the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra's annual concert 'Last Night of the Proms,' as a soloist for Mendelssohn's St Paulus Oratorio (2023), and as a soloist for Paul Carr's 'Requiem for an Angel' (Australian premiere- 2023).

Looking ahead, Claudia is thrilled to perform with Theatre Orchester Biel Solothurn (TOBS) in their 24/25 season as Barbarina in a new production of W.A. Mozart's 'Le Nozze di Figaro'.

www.claudia-mackay.com

Elise Morton

Soprano

Elise Morton is an Australian soprano finishing her advanced diploma in Opera at the Royal Northern College of Music, studying with Mary Plazas. During her time at the RNCM, Elise has been fortunate to partake in many opportunities including performing Steve Reich’s ‘The Desert Music’ with The Hallé and participating in the Opera North Mentorship scheme. She is especially looking forward to debuting the lead role of ‘School Teacher’ in the RNCM’s new community opera, ‘Silverwood’.

Recent career highlights for Elise include performing Poulenc.s Gloria with Glossop Choral Society, the role of Ariadne in R. Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos with the Berlin Opera Academy, performing as a soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, and many more as both an ensemble member and as a soloist.

Cristina Pharo

Coloratura Soprano

Cristina Pharo studies with Jeanne-Michele Charbonnet and is currently singing for Brent Opera, who are based

in London. Having recently performed the role of Adina in Brent Opera’s production of L’elisir d’amore,

Cristina is currently in production rehearsals for the role of Leonora (Il Trovatore), performances of which will

be open to the public in July 2024. Other operatic credits include productions at Teatro Garlasco, Teatro

Guastallo and Teatro Busetto where Cristina performed ‘Anna’ in Nabucco and ‘Annina’ in Traviata, for the

Director Fabio Buoncore. Whilst in Italy Cristina was the principal soprano for the Gavina Philharmonic

Vogherese, performing many concerts as well as operatic roles and oratorio. Cristina is a regular at the annual

Indemini Festival held in Switzerland as well as the Borghi and Valli Festival held in venues across Lombardy,

Italy. Other initiatives include regular invites to perform at the Circoli Lirici di Pavia as well as that of Busto

Arsizio in Lombardy.

Joëlle Portner

Soprano

Joëlle Portner is a Swiss-Italian soprano currently completing her Master's in Performance at the Lucerne University of Music under the guidance of Simone Durrer-Stock. Additionally, she enriches her vocal skills and technique through intensive lessons with Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet in Lausanne, while also benefiting from sessions with Malcolm Walker in Paris and Luxembourg, each contributing uniquely to her development.

Joëlle's love for opera is deeply rooted in her Italian heritage, which she holds dear to her heart. Her passion for bel canto shines through in her performances, where she employs its rich expressiveness and technical precision.

In the summer of 2022, Joëlle performed as "La Princesse" at a production of the Lucerne University of Music in the opera "L'enfant et les sortilèges" by Maurice Ravel.

The following year in the Summer of 2023, Joëlle made her debut on the stage at the Trentino Music Festival as Pamina in the opera "The Magic Flute". This was a important experience for her, and she had the opportunity to cherish a wonderful time thanks to the festival, where she could also grow as a singer and got the chance to refine her craft amidst other great singers in an international cast.

Ian Sherwood

Tenor

Ian Sherwood is an American tenor currently based in Biel, Switzerland, where he is a member of the Swiss Opera Studio in the class of Claude Eichenberger. In 2017, Ian earned his Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from the Challey School of Music in Fargo, USA.

Ian brings a wealth of stage experience. He has played various roles such as Eisenstein from "Die Fledermaus", Francis Flute from "A Midsummer Nights Dream", Ferrando from "Cosi fan tutte" and Simon from "Barrabas". Most recently, he appeared on stage for the first time with the Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn as Geissenpeter in the new opera "Heidi Feiert Weihnachten". He is delighted to have the opportunity to perform at several theaters in Switzerland.

Katharina Willi

Soprano

The Swiss soprano Katharina Willi completed her Bachelor's degree at the Zurich University of the Arts in 2020.

She continued her training as a member of the Swiss Opera Studio from 2021 to 2023. Since the fall 2023, she has been studying for a Master's degree in Performance at the University of the Arts under Tanja Ariane Baumgartner.

In addition to her busy concert schedule, the young soprano regularly appears in opera productions. In the 2022/23 season, she made her debut at Bühnen Bern as the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte (revival 2023/24), where she also appeared in productions of Die Walküre, L'Enfant et les sortilèges, Carmilla oder das Zeitalter der Vampire and Iphigénie en Tauride. During this time, she has worked with conductors such as Thomas Rösner, Nicholas Carter, Sebastian Schwab and Hans Christoph Bünger. In the 2023/24 season, she made her debut at Theater Basel as Ortlinde in Die Walküre.

She also has a great interest in contemporary music. For example, she was a soloist in the world premiere of the dance performance Obsession by composer David Eliah Bangerter and performed improvisationally in the media center of the Bundeshaus Bern.

www.willikatharina.com

Cornelia Zink

Soprano

Cornelia Zink studied at the Mozarteum Salzburg, was subsequently engaged in the ensemble of the Cottbus State Theatre and since 2014 has been a repeated freelance guest at the Hamburg State Opera, the Gärtnerplatztheater Munich, Hanover State Opera, Braunschweig State Theatre, Komische Oper Berlin and Mannheim National Theatre, among others. Since the 21/22 season she has been engaged at the Mecklenburg State Theatre in Schwerin, where she will sing Agathe and Duchess in the coming season.

Important roles of her career so far are Lucia di Lammermoor, Gretel, Musetta, Cunegonde (Candide), Schöne Helena, Antonia(Hoffmann), Helmwige, Woglinde, Wellgunde and Violetta (Traviata). In addition to the classical repertoire, Cornelia Zink has already sung several world premieres, including the second opera by female composers: "Liliom" by Johanna Doderer at the Gärtnerplatztheater in Munich in 2016 and "Wölfe" by Helena Tulve at the Staatstheater Schwerin in 2022.

In addition to her concert activities, the complete CD recordings of Ziehrer's "Die drei Wünsche" (2008) and Zeller's "Der Obersteiger" (2009) were made at the Schönbrunn Palace Theatre in Vienna and a CD and DVD of "Der Bettelstudent" at the Mörbisch Lake Festival in 2013 and the DVD of "Der Vogelhändler" with Cornelia Zink in the leading female roles in 2017.

www.cornelia-zink.de

Pierre Delignies

Pianist

The pianist Pierre Delignies soon made a name for himself at the conservatory of his hometown Santander, where he studied with Miguel Sierra and Irini Gaitani, continued his studies in the field of contemporary repertoire, and graduated with the distinction of "Matrícula de Honor". His studies took him to Amsterdam and then to Lucerne. Currently, he works as an assistant piano teacher in the class of Stefan Wirth at Hochschule Luzern and regularly performs with the Dissolution Ensemble and the Collegium Novum, where he recently made his debut at the Tonhalle. He has successfully performed internationally as a soloist, in duos, and ensembles.

Peter Nilsson

Pianist

is a vocal coach and Head of Musical Studies at Dutch National Opera Academy (Den Haag/Amsterdam), and a regular guest with the Broadcast Choir and the Netherlands Opera. He has worked closely with Yves Abel, Marc Albrecht, Daniele Callegari, Paolo Carignani, Riccardo Frizza, Hartmut Haenchen, Ingo Metzmacher, Yannick Nézet- Séguin, Julian Reynolds, Carlo Rizzi, and Mark Wigglesworth.

Peter is also an active accompanist for vocal master-classes, including Roberta Alexander, Elly Ameling, Diane Forlano, Hartmut Haenchen, Jard van Nes, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Charlotte Margiono, Nelly Miricioiu, and both series of Masterclasses given by Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge at the Britten-Pears School in Aldeburgh. Peter is also an active accompanist for vocal master-classes, including Roberta Alexander, Elly Ameling, Diane Forlano, Hartmut Haenchen, Jard van Nes, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Charlotte Margiono, Nelly Miricioiu, & both series of Masterclasses given by Dame Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge at the Britten-Pears School in Aldeburgh.

Fernando Martín-Peñasco

Pianist

graduated with distinction in classical piano from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, where he studied under Professor Peter Bithell (solo performance) and Pamela Lidiard (lied accompaniment). He then continued his répétiteur studies with the Staatsoper Unter den Linden conductors Alexander Vitlin and David Robert Coleman at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, where he also took part in masterclasses with Sir Donald Runnicles and Alexander Merzyn. From season 2021/22 Fernando was a member of the Internationales Opernstudio – Opernhaus Zürich and currently is a répétiteur at the theater in Sankt Gallen.