Valerie Eickhoff Wins 2022 SWR Junge Opernstars Competition
German Mezzo Soprano Valerie Eickhoff was named winner of the Südwestrundfunk Junge Opernstars Competition yesterday. She was awarded both the Emmerich Smola prize, selected by the audience, and the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie orchestra prize, selected by members of the orchestra.
As the audience chosen award winner Valerie will appear in a concert, studio production, and radio, television, and online programs, as well as be promoted by SWR2 as a new talent for three years. In addition, as winner of the orchestra prize Valerie will appear in concert with the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie next season.
Mezzo Soprano Valerie Eickhoff
Since 2004, the SWR has invited six young singers to compete for the Emmerich Smola Promotional Prize, allowing more than 100 young top-class singers to show their skills. The prize was created with the participation of its namesake to promote young opera talents. The acid test for a successful singing career is the approval of the audience, because as Emmerich Smola said in an interview "...only the audience can judge the effect and the charisma correctly!”
Valerie Eickhoff, Winner of the 2022 Emmerich Smola Prize
Every year, the exceptional talents ensure excitement and opera singing at the highest level. The vocal soloists, who have already won international awards, are engaged in major opera houses and give concerts in many countries around the world: young opera stars on the way to the top.
“I’m honored to be named this year’s winner, especially when singing amongst so many talented artists,” said Valerie. “I look forward to collaborating with two of Germany’s most prestigious artistic organizations, SWR2 and Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, in the coming years.”
This seasons sees Valerie return to Deutsche Oper am Rhein for six role debuts including Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, Lola in Cavalleria Rusticana, Ronja in Ronja Räubertochter, Diane in Barrie Kosky’s production of Offenbach’s Orphee aux Enfers and Sein Junge in Meister Pedros Puppenspiel. Additional roles at Deutsche Oper am Rhein include a reprise of her celebrated Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Annina in La Traviata. Ms. Eickhoff will also be presented in recital by Schumannfest Düsseldorf and in a benefit concert with the Sinfonieorchester der Camerata Louis Spohr.
Last season saw Valerie’s role debut as Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and a scheduled debut as Sein Junge in Meister Pedros Puppenspiel at Deutsche Oper am Rhein. Ms. Eickhoff also made her house debut at the Tiroler Festspiele Erl as Die Stallmagd in Humperdinck’s Königskinder.
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