01.12.2025

JULIAN PRÉGARDIEN | Artist in Residence 25-26 at the Wiener Konzerthaus

Tenor Julian Prégardien is one of the outstanding classical singers of our time. A clear voice and a deep understanding of the text predestine him for any format in which stories are told with the means of the art of singing. In an extensive series of portraits, he presents himself several times as a lieder singer, in particular of course as an interpreter of Schubert, in a range of different music mediation formats and as a soloist in Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the turn of the year and, together with Raphaël Pichon's Ensemble Pygmalion, as the Evangelist in Bach's St. Matthew Passion

On the recital stage:

After an unforgettable Schubert recital to start the season, alongside fellow Machreich artist Anja Mittermüller and András Schiff, this autumn Julian Prégardien returns in a multitude of recital settings. First, as part of the series “Klangberührt” – he brings Schubert lieder together with singer/guitarist Bryan Benner from the Erl Kings to a matinee concert for school children and an evening concert moderated by Lilian Genn, aimed at allowing people with and without disabilities aged 16 and over to enjoy barrier-free musical experiences. With his concerts in the New Year “Klangmobil” the doors are opened to parents with babies and young children, given them their first ever concert experiences.

Throughout the season, Julian also presents his series of moderated recitals entitled “Schubert für Alle”, aimed also at breaking down the barrier between the performer and audience through audience requests of their favourite Schubert works, to be then performed spontaneously by Julian Prégardien and Daniel Heide.

On the concert stage:

Equally at home in orchestral company, Julian Prégardien demonstrates his versatility, first as soloist in Beethoven’s almighty Ninth Symphony, along side fellow Machreich Artist Christiane Karg, before joining conductor Raphael Pichon and his award-winning Ensemble Pygmalion for one of the tenor’s signature roles as the Evangelist in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.

Undoubtedly one of the most sought-after Evangelists of our time in both the St John and Matthew Passions, Julian Prégardien has performed the roles in Europe’s most prominent concert venues, garnering praise last season for his masterclass in storytelling and accomplished theatrical performances. In addition, the close musical bond he has developed with the Ensemble Pygmalion and Pichon over many seasons - most recently on stage at the Salzburg Festival last summer – promises an unparalleled concert experience for audiences across Europe in their tour this season of the St Matthew Passion.

Following the tour, Julian returns to the Konzerthaus for a performance of Mahler’s 5 Lieder based on poems by Friedrich Rückert, with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra under Cornelius Meister. This time, audiences can experience his mastery of the art of lied and textual sensitivity, in combination with the richer orchestral texture of Mahler’s composition.