René Pape honored as Österreichischer Kammersänger at Wiener Staatsoper

René Pape was honored the title of Österreichischer Kammersänger at the Wiener Staatsoper, following a performance as Sarastro in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. This marks his third Kammersänger title, a prestigious honor that he has previously received from the Bayerischer Kammersänger (2017) and Berliner Kammersänger (2000).

The German bass has been associated with the Haus am Ring for many years and has portrayed a total of 10 roles in 56 performances since his debut in 1991 as the Speaker in Die Zauberflöte. In addition to the Speaker, he has performed Don Fernando (Fidelio), Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte), Hunding (Die Walküre), Philip II (Don Carlo), King Heinrich (Lohengrin), Leporello (Don Giovanni), Boris Godunov (title role), Gurnemanz (Parsifal), and finally Orest (Elektra). In April 2019 he returns to the Wiener Staatsoper as Gurnemanz in Parsifal.

Further performances of Die Zauberflöte will take place on December 22, 26, 28 and 30. Benjamin Bernheim sings Tamino, Clemens Unterreiner (December 15, 18, 22) and Rafael Fingerlos (December 26, 28, 30) sing Papageno. Valentina Naforniţă is Pamina, Hila Fahima is Queen of the Night, René Pape is Sarastro, Ileana Tonca is Papagena and KS Benedikt Kobel is Monostatos. Adam Fischer conducts.

The performances on December 28 & 30 will be broadcast live at Herbert von Karajan Square.