Rene Pape Opera singer, bass Date of Birth: 04.09.1964 Country: Germany

1. René Pape: A Bass Giant
2. Musical Education and Early Success
3. International Acclaim
4. Concert and Recording Highlights
5. Awards and Recognition
6. Solo Albums and Discography

René Pape: A Bass Giant

René Pape, a prominent German bass, has graced the stage of the Berlin State Opera as a soloist. Dubbed by some critics as "one of the leading basses of the new generation," Pape has established himself as a formidable voice in the opera world.

Musical Education and Early Success

Born in Dresden, Germany, Pape received his musical education in his hometown. In 1988, as a student, he made his debut at the Berlin State Opera, where he has remained a member of the ensemble to this day. At the Berlin State Opera, Pape has performed all the major roles in his repertoire, including Rocco, King Marke, King Henry, Pogner, Fasolt, Hunding, Sarastro, Figaro, Leporello, and Don Giovanni in new productions conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

International Acclaim

Pape's success has extended beyond Berlin, with performances in leading opera houses throughout Europe, Japan (with the Metropolitan Opera and Berlin State Opera), and the United States. Following his successful debut with the New York Metropolitan Opera, he became a regular guest soloist, with performances scheduled through the 2014/2015 season. Under the baton of James Levine, Pape has taken part in new productions of "Tristan und Isolde" (King Marke), "Fidelio" (Rocco), "Don Giovanni" (Leporello), "Faust" (Mephistopheles), and revivals of "Lohengrin" (King Henry) and "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" (Pogner). Led by Valery Gergiev, he made his debut as Gurnemanz in "Parsifal."

Concert and Recording Highlights

Pape's artistry extends beyond the opera stage, with acclaimed performances in concert halls worldwide. He has performed in prestigious venues in Tokyo, Madrid, London, Florence (Teatro Maggio Musicale Fiorentino), Rome, New York (Verdi's "Requiem" with the New York Philharmonic under Colin Davis and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony under Lorin Maazel and Kurt Masur), Chicago (Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Georg Solti and Daniel Barenboim), and Paris (Orchestre de Paris under Daniel Barenboim and Semyon Bychkov). He has collaborated with the Cleveland Orchestra under Franz Welser-Möst, the Philadelphia Orchestra under Wolfgang Sawallisch, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Bavarian State Opera Orchestra under Zubin Mehta, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra under James Levine, and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra (second act of "Tristan und Isolde," under Claudio Abbado).

Awards and Recognition

Pape's exceptional talent has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is a two-time Grammy Award winner and was named "Singer of the Year" in 2002 by Musical America. In January 2007, he received the Opera News Award in New York City. His artistry has been showcased in a television film, "Maestro," produced by ARTE. Pape has also appeared in feature films, including "The Magic Flute" (as Sarastro and Orator, directed by Kenneth Branagh) and "Der Freischütz" (2009). His performance as Sarastro in "The Magic Flute" at the Metropolitan Opera—in a special English version—was screened in cinemas and broadcast live in high definition on television in December 2006.

Solo Albums and Discography

In addition to his extensive opera and concert work, Pape has released solo albums, including "Gods, Kings, and Demons" with the Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra and an all-Wagner disc with the Berlin Staatskapelle Orchestra under Daniel Barenboim on the DGG label (2011). Pape's discography also features recordings under conductors such as Daniel Barenboim, Colin Davis, James Levine, Georg Solti, and Antonio Pappano.