Highlighted by Opera Now’s “Who’s Hot” section as one of last season’s most promising, up and coming talents for his “firm, powerful voice and considerable stage presence”, Opera magazine described George von Bergen’s recent Don Giovanni as “exceptionally impressive, brutal, dangerous but always attractive and with a voice ideally suited to the role”.
Winner of the Royal Overseas League singing competition, British baritone George von Bergen studied at the University of Bristol, the Royal Academy of Music, and the National Opera Studio in London. Next season, he will become an ENO Harewood Artist.
Recent performances have seen George appear as Ostasio Francesca da Rimini and Marcello La Bohème at Opera Holland Park, Demetrius A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Garsington Opera and at Longborough, Marcello in the Torre del Lago Puccini Festival’s production of La Bohème at the Abu Dahbi Festival, Ned Keene in Willy Decker’s acclaimed production of Peter Grimes in Turin, and Beaumarchais in the award-winning European première of Ghosts of Versailles at Wexford Opera. Last season George made his successful English National Opera debut as Schaunard La Bohème. Later, he returned to Holland Park to sing The Count Le nozze di Figaro, and appeared with the Opera Project as Danilo The Merry Widow opposite Yvonne Kenny.
Highlights of the current season include the title role of Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet in a new production at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, conducted by Hervé Niquet; Ford in a new production of Falstaff at Opera Holland Park; and his debut at La Scala, Milan as Ned Keene in Richard Jones’ new production of Peter Grimes.
Whilst still at the National Opera Studio, George performed the role of Edward in the stage première of Elizabeth Maconchy’s The Sofa with Independent Opera (Chandos February 2009). He also took the role of Marcello in the Deutsche Grammophon/MR Productions film of La Bohème alongside Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon. George also performed with Welsh National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera and Garsington Opera, and made his BBC Proms debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis.
On the recital and concert platform George von Bergen has performed extensively in Britain and Europe. Oratorio performances also include Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Bach’s St John Passion, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and the Fauré’s Requiem.
George von Bergen is represented by Intermusica.
May 2012 / 389 words. Not to be altered without permission. Please destroy all previous biographical material.
Nick Shadow in Stravinsky The Rake’s Progress
“The empty cynicism of the Rake seemed at odds with the optimism of the evening, but von Bergen made a compelling case for sin – this baritone has all-round charisma.”
Yehuda Shapiro, Opera Now, September/October 2008
Don Giovanni in Mozart Don Giovanni
“The exciting George von Bergen (Germont pere in Clonter’s recent La traviata; he also impressed as the Academy’s Tarquinius and Gianni Schicchi) delivered the Don with not just gusto but a rich bass range too. Bergen’s utterly secure voice production worked wonders, mellifluously wooing Zerlina after dispatching the Commendatore.”
Roderic Dunnett, Opera Now, March/April 2008
Gianni Schicchi in Puccini Gianni Schicchi
“Who’s Hot – Baritone George von Bergen in the title role of Gianni Schicchi. Now at the NOS, von Bergen posses a firm powerful voice and considerable stage presence.”
Opera Now, November/December 2007
Don Giovanni in Mozart Don Giovanni
“The British baritone George von Bergen was an exceptionally impressive Don Giovanni, brutal, dangerous but always attractive and with a voice ideally suited to the role.”
Michael Kennedy, Opera, October 2007
“…and has given excellent training to singers who will in several cases be making big careers in future, I think. George von Bergen (Giovanni) and George Matheakakis (Leporello) are not only individually highly gifted but spark brilliantly against each other too. I could see either taking their portrayal into opera houses anywhere with success.”
Robert Beale, Manchester Evening News, July 2007
“Dashing George von Bergen was in great voice as the charismatic Don Giovanni, commanding the stage and making it understandable why the ladies were so easily duped by him.”
Natalie Anglesey, The Stage, July 2007
Elijah in Mendelssohn Elijah
“The big part of Elijah was splendidly taken by George von Bergen with his rich baritone. The famous aria ‘Lord God of Abraham’ rang out in the church, and Elijah’s pleading with God to let him die – ‘It is enough’ was most moving.”
Michael Crombie, Ilford Recorder, June 2007
Teucer in Rameau Dardanus
“Among the leads, Julia Sporsen's grave, supple Iphise and George von Bergen's polished Teucer were outstanding in their stylistic fluency.”
Anna Picard, Independent on Sunday, November 2006
Eugene Onegin in Tchaikovsky Eugene Onegin
“George von Bergen’s Onegin was much more straight down the line – a Wildean, bored young-old man, with a good sneer on him, von Bergen sang with great authority and imagination. I always look forward to seeing how Onegins will crack, and this one did it to the manner born, shaping up nicely to lose his rag with Lensky and going on to convincingly breakdown in the final scene.”
Peter Reed, Opera, November 2006
“Here Onegin, George von Bergen, was as strongly cast. Tall, handsome, you see why Tatyana’s head was turned. By turns prig, lecher and wilting violet, his singing was full and mature.”
Christopher Monk, Musical Opinion, November 2006
“She was well matched by von Bergen’s resonant baritone, and the scene where he rejects her letter; tearing it to pieces in front of her; was powerful stuff.”
Clare Colvin, Sunday Express, September 2006
“And both Onegin himself and Tatyana are exceptionally strongly cast. Kerley produces her and the equally extraordinary Onegin of George von Bergen with enormous care and sensitivity.”
Hilary Finch, The Times, September 2006