Benjamin Appl to make rare U.S. appearance

Benjamin Appl

German barihunk Benjamin Appl has already been recognized as one of the leading lieder singers of our age, despite being only 35 years old. 

From May 31-June 3, he will make a rare appearance in the United States when he performs Kullervo by Siblius with the Seattle Symphony and soprano Maria Männistö. We believe that this may be his West Coast debut, as his bio lists his only U.S. appearances at Carnegie Hall and at the Ravinia Festival. He will also be joining soprano Helena Juntunen for a performance of Kullervo on May 17th with the Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Benjamin Appl sings Schubert's Der Einsame:

The Kullervo "choral symphony" is based on the epic poem Kalevala. It is not until the third movement, over thirty minutes from the beginning of the work, that the male voice choir and the soloists make their voices heard. The orchestra creates the atmosphere and finally the choir begins the story: Kullervo, son of Kalervo, son of an old man, wearing blue stockings. The archaic atmosphere is accentuated by male voice choir, which sings in unison.

Berfore his U.S. appearance, Appl has a series of lieder recitals, including a Bach recital in Köln and his HEIMAT recital tour, which is headed to Hong Kong, the Château de Coppet in Switzerland, the Gut Holzhausen Voices Festival in Nieheim, Germany, and at the Reydale Festival in Pickering, U.K.