NZ Debut for Famed Swedish MezzoSoprano Anne Sofie von Otter

New Zealand Debut for Famed Swedish Mezzo-Soprano Anne Sofie Von Otter

“Over several decades, Anne Sofie von Otter has had perhaps the most pristine mezzo voice in any opera or song-cycle”- chicagoclassicalreview.com

She’s performed with Elvis Costello and jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, and collaborated with ABBA’s Björn and Benny, now one of the world’s greatest mezzo-sopranos, Sweden’s Anne Sofie von Otter heads to Auckland for a one night only recital this month in her debut New Zealand performance.

Anne Sofie Von Otter, accompanied by her long-time artistic partner, pianist Bengt Forsberg, performs at the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday 16 November.

The programme features songs from Canteloube’s Songs of the Auvergne as well as Schubert and Brahms, Swedish composers, and contemporary favourites.

“It is a real thrill to be bringing Anne Sofie to New Zealand,” says tour promoter Roger King. “She is a superstar of classical music.”

While in New Zealand, Anne Sofie will also perform Canteloube’s Songs of the Auvergne with Vector Wellington Orchestra on Friday 18 November.

Combining vocal genius and exquisite musicality, Anne Sofie von Otter is one of the biggest names in opera and a leading singer of her generation, sought after by the major conductors, orchestras, opera and recording companies of the world.

Equally active in opera, concert, recital and recording, Anne Sofie is famed for her versatility in operatic roles, her interesting recital choices, and her willingness to take vocal risks. She has an international reputation as an operatic force, appearing regularly on the world’s major stages, including Covent Garden, La Scala, Berlin, Munich, and Rome, and boasts an unrivalled personal discography.

Her musical collaborators range from classical luminaries James Levine, from New York’s Metropolitan Opera, and Bengt Forsberg, to Elvis Costello and legendary jazz pianist Brad Mehldau.

“[Anne Sofie von Otter’s] singing was, as ever, poised, intimate, beautifully coloured, irresistibly charismatic.” - The Daily Telegraph

“[Anne Sofie von Otter] sang with her customary warm dusky tone, gently beautiful pianissimos and supplely shaped phrasing … singing with complete command, she brought haunting sadness and vocal radiance to Schubert's ''Abendstern” [and] gave a riveting performance of ''My Heritage Is Called Longing'' [by Swedish composer Wilhelm Peterson-Berger] with its high-spun vocal line and shimmering accompaniment, like some Impressionistic music box.” - New York Times

Anne Sofie Von Otter performs with Bengt Forsberg on Wednesday 16 November at Auckland Town Hall. Tickets are available 0800 BUY TICKETS (289 842) or www.buytickets.co.nz.

ENDS

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