Axel kohler countertenor biography

During operatic holidays I no longer feel like discovering new lands. I prefer to return to places that bring back good memories: to trips to tried and tested theatres, to favourite works featuring reliable singers. So I planned both my July trips to Germany well in advance. My pretext for going to Dresden was Günther Groissböck’s appearance in the role of the demonic Caspar in Weber’s Der Freischütz – a little over a year after Kirill Serebrennikov’s bizarre and not entirely successful staging of the opera at Amsterdam’s De Nationale Opera with Groissböck in the cast. I travelled to Munich – unlike some of my colleagues who went there to see the new production of Semele directed by Claus Guth primarily because of Jakub Józef Orliński in the role of Athamas – to hear Jupiter as portrayed by Michael Spyres and to compare his interpretation with Jeremy Ovenden’s recent performance at the Göttingen Handel Festival.

I’ve written so much recently about Der Freischütz – admired not only by Chopin, but also by the young Zygmunt Krasiński, who reported to his father after the Warsaw premiere that the piece was “full of ghosts, monsters, bats, thunders, etc., etc., very much in the Romantic taste” – that I’ll get straight to the point. I saw the thirty-fifth performance of the staging, which has been in Dresden’s Semperoper repertoire for over eight years. Responsible for the direction is the Dresden-born countertenor Axel Köhler, who first tried his hand at the directing in 2000, thirteen years after making his debut in the part of Eustazio in Rinaldo, on the stage of the Staatstheater Halle. Since then he has directed more than fifty productions, while continuing his singing career and achieving notable successes as a teacher. His Freischütz gets rave reviews after each revival. This is hardly surprising – in a seemingly traditional production Köhler has managed to successfully move the action from the times of the Thirty Years’ War to a decidedly more recent

Who is Axel Köhler? A Brief Career Overview

Meet Axel Köhler, a captivating figure in the world of classical music, renowned as a countertenor whose impressive vocal range and emotive performances have left audiences spellbound. Born in 1960 in Schwarzenberg, Saxony, Köhler has transcended boundaries in the opera scene, not only as a performer but also as a visionary director. His expertise spans a variety of genres, predominantly focusing on Baroque and classical music. With significant contributions to festivals and productions across Europe, he is celebrated for both his solo work and collaborative projects.

Axel's connection to vinyl culture is particularly compelling. His releases have featured beautifully crafted vinyl editions, sparking joy among collectors and classical music aficionados alike. Affectionately regarded in the industry for his artistry, Köhler's legacy in the classical domain is enriched through his recordings, ensuring his voice resonates on turntables and in concert halls around the world.

Axel Köhler's Early Life and Background

Growing up in East Germany, Axel Köhler's journey toward a career in music began in an environment that valued classical traditions. His family recognized his passion for music early on, nurturing his talent. He pursued violin pedagogy and later studied singing at the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden, where he honed his skills and formed a deep-rooted appreciation for the intricate melodies of the classical canon.

During his formative years, Köhler's exposure to various musical styles and traditions shaped his artistic vision. Attending concerts, exploring the intricacies of instrumentation, and becoming intimately familiar with iconic vinyl recordings helped forge his love for the rich textures of classical music. Experiences like these laid the groundwork for the compelling career that would follow, intertwining his life with the world of vinyl a

German countertenor and opera director (born 1959)

Axel Köhler (born 1960 in Schwarzenberg, Saxony, East Germany) is a German countertenor and opera director. In 1994, he won the Handel Prize. Since 2009, he has been Artistic Director of the Halle Opera House.

Early life

Axel Köhler studied violin pedagogy and singing at the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden. In 1987 he made his singing debut as Eustazio in Peter Konwitschny's production of Rinaldo. A number of demanding countertenor roles followed, especially in Handel's operas, as Köhler guested at international festivals and concerts, and in compact disc, radio and opera productions.

Singing career

Since 1984, Köhler has belonged to the ensemble Halle an der Saale, first as a baritone and later as a countertenor. In 1995, Köhler sang at the Royal Opera House in London at the premiere of Arianna by Alexander Goehr. In 1998 he took over the title role in the world premiere of Farinelli by Siegfried Matthus. In 2001, he played the devil in Detlev Glanert's comic opera Scherz, Satire, Ironie und tiefere Bedeutung at its premiere. He sang the role of Ajib in L'Upupa by Hans Werner Henze in 2003 at the Salzburg Festival premiere. In 2006, Köhler designed the title role in Cantor – Die Vermessung des Unendlichen by Ingomar Grünauer, a world premiere in which he sang as a baritone.

In 2005, Köhler sang at the Semper Opera in Dresden in the role of Poro in Johann Adolf Hasse's opera Cleofide. He sang with the Bavarian State Opera for Poppea and Rinaldo, the Hamburg State Opera for Poppea. He also sang in Monteverdi's L'Orfeo in the part of La Speranza and the Polinesso in Handel's Ariodante. In 2011, he appeared as The Roasted Swan in Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. From 2007 to 2010, he appeared as Artemis in Hans Werner Henze's Phaedra in Berlin, Brussels, Vienna, Frankfurt and London. Subsequently, he played the part of Trasimede in Handel's Alce