Opera and Concert
I gained my first stage experience during my time at the International Opera Studio of the Zurich Opera House in Rigoletto with Piotr Beczala and Leo Nucci, conducted by Maurizio Arena.
Further engagements took me to Nice as Cecilio in Lucio Silla, as Ulrica in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera in Solothurn, and as Wellgunde and 2nd Norn in Graham Vick's acclaimed production of Wagner's Ring in Palermo. In the concert hall: Mendelssohn's Walpurgisnacht with Kurt Masur and the New York Philharmonic, as well as Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand and Debussy's Le martyre de Saint Sébastien in Paris with Daniele Gatti.
BiographyA Matter of Heart
My love of music began in Aachen – my hometown. I took my first musical steps as a violinist. But I soon discovered the power of the voice as a unique instrument of expression and, after finishing school, began my vocal studies in Lied and Oratorio at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg.
The art song captivated me above all else: bringing these small masterworks to life became my great passion. Shortly before my diploma, I was accepted into the International Zurich Opera Studio – and eventually moved to the birthplace of opera, Italy, where I have lived, worked and embraced the culture for many years.
To unite the subtle and intimate art of Lied with the overwhelming power of voice and orchestra in opera – that is my true matter of heart.
G. Verdi
Aida
W. A. Mozart
The Magic Flute
G. Bizet
Carmen
Reviews
What the press
is saying
R. Wagner · Das Rheingold · Palermo
„È la voce del mezzosoprano Knorren che rimane impressa per la sua particolare ricchezza e spessore, che si adattano perfettamente alla densa scrittura wagneriana."
It is above all the voice of mezzo-soprano Knorren that lingers in the memory for its particular richness and depth – qualities that adapt perfectly to Wagner's dense writing.
Debussy · Le martyre de Saint Sébastien · Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
„Daniele Gatti, the Choeur de Radio France and the Orchestre National de France give a sensitive performance in support of soloists Sophie Marin-Degor, Kate Aldrich and Christine Knorren."
Johann Strauss II · Cagliari, Die Fledermaus · Sardinia
"….un personaggio particolare è accattivante, il principe Orlovsky vede Christine Knorren per rendere questo stravagante personaggio con una vis scenica e vocale coinvolgente"
…a particularly interesting and captivating figure is Prince Orlofsky; Christine Knorren succeeds in portraying this eccentric character with an engaging scenic and vocal presence.
G. Verdi · Oberto · Berlin
„Ihre höhensichere, kraftvolle Leonore macht deutlich: Christine Knorren, eigentlich Mezzo, sollte unbedingt öfters den Ausflug ins hochdramatische Sopranfach wagen."
Her secure and powerful Leonore makes it clear: Christine Knorren, essentially a mezzo, should most definitely venture more often into the high-dramatic soprano repertoire.
Palermo · Götterdämmerung
"la notevolissima Christine Knorren sia come seconda Norna che come Wellgunde."
The truly remarkable Christine Knorren both as Second Norn and as Wellgunde.