Thomas Hampson to Make Met Debut as Verdi's Iago in OTELLO, March 11; Announces 2013 US Engagements

Related: Thomas Hampson, The Metropolitan Opera, Verdi, Iago, Otello

In the concert hall in Indianapolis, Amsterdam, Vienna, and more Mahler is arguably the composer with whom Hampson is most closely associated. Internationally recognized as "one of the composer's leading interpreters" (Guardian, UK), the baritone's 2010 Deutsche Grammophon recording of Mahler's orchestral song settings from Des Knaben Wunderhorn was welcomed by Fanfare magazine as "one to treasure for years to come."

The Indiana-born baritone returns to Des Knaben Wunderhorn for his two upcoming dates with the Indianapolis Symphony and Portuguese conductor Joana Carneiro, at the orchestra's home on February 22 and the following day at DePauw University in Greencastle, where he also gives one of his famed master classes (Feb 24).

It is again with Mahler that Hampson tours Europe this month, singing his orchestral song cycle Kindertotenlieder alongside Dvorák's Zigeunermelodien with the conductorless chamber orchestra Wiener Virtuosen, in Merano, Italy (Feb 11), Bern (Feb 12), Zurich (Feb 13), Innsbruck (Feb 15), and Vienna (Feb 17).

Selections from Mahler's song cycles are on the program once more when the baritone joins Amsterdam's Royal Concertbouw Orchestra, chief conductor Mariss Jansons and fellow special guests Lang Lang and Janine Jansen for a gala benefit to celebrate the venerable orchestra's 125th anniversary on April 10.

Three days later, Hampson heads to the Vienna Symphony, where Massimo Zanetti will lead a concert performance of Simon Boccanegra that will be recorded for future CD release. The baritone will reprise his portrayal of the title character, which has become something of a signature role; when he last embodied Verdi's Doge at Lyric Opera of Chicago, veteran critic John von Rhein concluded that "at a time when true Verdi baritones are a rare commodity, he gave an impressive and deeply considered performance in this touchstone Verdi role" (Chicago Tribune). In Vienna, Hampson will head a strong cast that also features Joseph Calleja and Luca Pisaroni.

A list of the baritone's upcoming engagements follows, and additional information is available at www.thomashampson.com.

Thomas Hampson: spring engagements

Feb 11
Merano, Italy
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Dvorák: "Zigeunermelodien"
Wiener Virtuosen

Feb 12
Bern, Switzerland
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Dvorák: "Zigeunermelodien"
Wiener Virtuosen

Feb 13
Zurich, Switzerland
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Dvorák: "Zigeunermelodien"
Wiener Virtuosen

Feb 15
Innsbruck, Austria
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Dvorák: "Zigeunermelodien"
Wiener Virtuosen

Feb 17
Vienna, Austria
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Dvorák: "Zigeunermelodien"
Wiener Virtuosen

Feb 22
Indianapolis, IN
Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra / Joana Carneiro

Feb 23
Greencastle, IN
DePauw University
Mahler: Des Knaben Wunderhorn
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra / Joana Carneiro

Feb 24
Greencastle, IN
DePauw University
Master class

Feb 26
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Performances
Schumann: Liederkreis, Op. 39; Barber: song selections; Hersch: Domicilium (world premiere)
Recital with Wolfram Rieger

March 3
Akron, OH
Tuesday Musical Association
Master Class

March 3
Akron, OH
Tuesday Musical Association
"Song of America" recital with Craig Rutenberg, piano

March 11, 15, 20, 23 & 30
New York, NY
Metropolitan Opera / Alain Altinoglu
Verdi: Otello (Iago)

April 4-7
Heidelberg, Germany
Frühling - Stadthalle
Lied Academy Masterclasses

April 10
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
125th Anniversary Benefit Gala
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra / Mariss Jansons
With Lang Lang and Janine Jansen

April 13 & 17
Vienna, Austria
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra in concert (title role)
Wiener Symphoniker / Massimo Zanetti

April 24
Davis, CA
Mondavi Center
Mark Adamo: That Year for baritone and string quartet (2012, world premiere)
Wolf: Selected Lieder for baritone and string quartet
Chamber concert with Jupiter String Quartet

April 26
Boston, MA
Celebrity Series
Mark Adamo: That Year for baritone and string quartet (2012, East Coast premiere)
Wolf: Selected Lieder for baritone and string quartet
Chamber concert with Jupiter String Quartet

April 27
Boston, MA
New England Conservatory
Master Class

April 28
New York, NY
Chamber Music Society
Mark Adamo: That Year for baritone and string quartet (2012, NY premiere)
Wolf: Selected Lieder for baritone and string quartet
Chamber concert with Jupiter String Quartet

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