Biography – Katrin Küsswetter
Soprano Katrin Küsswetter is a highly sought-after lyric coloratura soprano whose versatile, brilliant voice covers the entire spectrum from the Early Baroque to Classical Modernism. Widely acclaimed for both her interpretation of rediscovered early works and contemporary music productions, she frequently premieres compositions by renowned contemporary composers. Vocal chamber music from all eras remains a particular passion. Through her two ensembles, Baroque Pleasure and Classic Meets Jazz, she keenly explores and transcends artistic boundaries between genres in refreshingly unconventional ways.
She has established a distinguished reputation for her interpretations of W.A. Mozart’s virtuosic stage music, releasing her debut solo album of his great concert arias in 2019. Her stage repertoire encompasses leading roles such as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Konstanze in The Abduction from the Seraglio. Her operatic roles also include G.F. Handel’s Cleopatra, J. Offenbach’s Olympia, Zerbinetta in R. Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos, and L. Bernstein’s Cunegonde. Her musical dedication has been repeatedly recognised with grants from institutions including the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts. Most recently, she released the widely acclaimed album Arias & Motets – Last Heroes, featuring the world premiere recording of all Otto Arie Sacre by G. Giordani, which was successfully re-released by the international label Rondeau ® in late 2023. Numerous live recordings and video broadcasts with BR, WDR, SWR, and Arte further underscore her versatility.
A regular soloist at prestigious international festivals, Küsswetter has performed at the Ansbach Bach Week, the Stuttgart Bach Festival, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, the Bayreuth Easter Festival, and the Balthasar Neumann Musical Days, as well as for many seasons at the Bayreuth Festival. Her career includes collaborations with internationally renowned conductors such as Helmut Rilling, René Jacobs, Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Christian Thielemann, Sebastian Weigle and Yudania Gómez Heredia. She has performed with esteemed period-instrument ensembles including La Banda in Augsburg, and La Ciaccona in Munich, alongside major orchestras like the Bamberg Symphony. Her stage partners feature the multiple Opus Klassik award-winning recorder player Maurice Steger, renowned baroque violinist Anne Röhrig, and internationally sought-after singers such as Tilman Lichdi, Klaus Florian Vogt and Jukka Rasilainen.
The foundation for this expansive career was laid during her early studies, where she initially focussed on early music under the guidance of Rosemarie Jakschitsch (HfM Trossingen and Stuttgart, 2000-2003). Under the subsequent tutelage of the renowned Birgit Ströbel-König (Nuremberg) and KS Claes-Håkan Ahnsjö (Munich), she expanded her vocal range to the lyric coloratura repertoire (2004-2008). She further honed her craft through masterclasses with Jessica Cash, Monika Mauch, Richard Wistreich, Anna Reynolds und Klesie Kelley- Moog. Whilst still a student, she maintained an active performance schedule as both a concert soloist and a solo member of international vocal ensembles, touring extensively throughout Europe.
Alongside her performance career, Küsswetter is a passionate vocal educator and a full member of the German Association of Singing Teachers (BDG) and the German Musicians Association (DTKV). She takes great pleasure in teaching at several institutes throughout Southern Germany, guiding students across all stages of their musical education.