Huw Montague Rendall

On 15 September, the Enescu Festival presents the Romanian premiere of Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes featuring a stellar Intermusica cast including Lise Davidsen in her role debut as Ellen Orford, Christopher Purves as Balstrode, Michael Colvin as Bob Boles, and Huw Montague Rendall and Rhian Lois, making their debuts as Ned Keene and the Second Niece, respectively.

The concert performance will be combined with a visual story, imagined by multimedia director Carmen Lidia Vidu as a graphic film.

The concert also serves as a vehicle for legendary English mezzo-soprano Diana Montague to sing Mrs Sedley and share the stage for the first time with her son, Huw Montague Rendall, one of the most exciting and fast-rising young baritones of today.

The Enescu Festival is held annually in honour of the celebrated Romanian composer George Enescu. It is the largest classical music festival and competition in Romania and one of the largest in Europe.

Other Intermusica artist appearances at this year's festival include celebrated Romanian mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose alongside Armonia Atenea as Ramise in Handel’s Arminio; Yuja Wang with the Dresden Staatskapelle and Myung-Whun Chung, Midori in recital with Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Renaud Capuçon with Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège and
Gergely Madaras; and the Oslo Philharmonic, Vasily Petrenko and Leif Ove Andsnes, brought to the festival by Intermusica’s International Touring department.

The Grimes performance will be streamed live via the Enescu Festival website. 

On 17 and 18 August, Claire de Sévigné and Huw Montague Rendall return to the Salzburg Festival to join Raphaël Pichon and the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg for their Mozart Matinee series.

The concerts will feature works composed shortly before Mozart’s da Ponte trilogy was completed, which show the roots of Le Nozze di Figaro, Cosi fan tutte and Don Giovanni. Other composers featured alongside Mozart include contemporaries Paisiello, Salieri and Martin Y Soler.

Montague Rendall was a member of the prestigious Young Singers Project at the Salzburg Festival in 2017 where he made his debut in the role of Second Apprentice in Wozzeck. Recent highlights include a role and company debut as Harlequin in Ariadne auf Naxos at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, a return to Opernhaus Zürich as a guest artist to make his role debut as Schaunard in La bohème, a role and house debut as Marcello in Barrie Kosky’s new production of La bohème at Komische Oper, and a return to Garsington Opera as Prince of Mantua in Fantasio.

Next season, Montague Rendall's debuts include Il Conte in Le Nozze di Figaro at Opéra National de Lorraine, Ned Keene in Peter Grimes at the Enescu Festival, and returns to Komische Oper as Marcello in La bohème. On the concert and recital platform, he appears at Cadogan Hall with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and in recital as part of the London Song Festival, and with pianist Hélio Vida in Nancy.

Claire de Sévigné made her debut at the Salzburg Festival in 2015 as a member of the Young Singers Project, singing the role of Modestin in Strauss Die Rosenkavalier. Recent highlights include her debut with Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam as Vierge in Honegger Jeanne d’Arc au Bucher, and her revival of the role of Blondchen in Die Entführung aus dem Serail for Opernhaus Zurich and Savonlinna Opera Festival.

Forthcoming highlights include Sacerdotessa in Aida, Phani in Les Indes galantes, Blondchen in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Clorinda in La Cenerentola and L’Ange in Saint-François d’Assise at Grand Théâtre de Genève as part of their ensemble. She will also sing the role of Fiakermilli in Arabella at Opernhaus Zürich.

Huw Montague Rendall makes his debut at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on 21 March 2019, reprising the role of Harlequin in Katie Mitchell’s production of Ariadne auf Naxos under the baton of Jérémie Rhorer. Montague Rendall made his debut in the role when Mitchell's production premiered at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence last season.

Following his graduation from the International Opera Studio at Opernhaus Zürich in 2018, Montague Rendall returned to Zürich this season as a guest artist to make his role debut as Schaunard La bohème. He also made his role and house debut as Marcello in Barrie Kosky’s new production of La bohème at Komische Oper Berlin. On the concert platform, Montague Rendall made his debut with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performing Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht.

Later this season, Montague Rendall returns to Garsington to make his debut as Prince of Mantua Fantasio.

On 14 February, Huw Montague Rendall makes his role and company debut as Marcello in Barrie Kosky’s new production of La bohème at Komische Oper under the baton of Jordan de Souza.

Following his graduation from the International Opera Studio at Opernhaus Zürich in 2018, Montague Rendall made his role and company debut at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence as Harlequin in Katie Mitchell’s new production of Ariadne auf Naxos. He also returned to Zürich this season as a guest artist to make his role debut as Schaunard La bohème and made his debut with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performing Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht.

Upcoming highlights for Montague Rendall include a house debut at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées returning to the role of Harlequin in Katie Mitchell’s production of Ariadne auf Naxos and a return to Garsington to make his debut as Prince of Mantua Fantasio.

Huw Montague Rendall makes his debut with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on 29 and 30 November 2018, performing Mendelssohn’s Die erste Walpurgisnacht in Edinburgh and Glasgow. In performances conducted by Laurence Equilbey, Montague Rendall is joined by fellow soloists Hilary Summers and Martin Mitterrutzner.

Following his graduation from the International Opera Studio at Opernhaus Zürich, Montague Rendall made his role and company debut at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence as Harlequin in Katie Mitchell’s new production of Ariadne auf Naxos. He also returned to Zürich this season as a guest artist to make his role debut as Schaunard La bohème. Upcoming highlights for Montague Rendall include a role and house debut as Marcello La bohème at Komische Oper Berlin in a new production by Barrie Kosky, a house debut at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées returning to the role of Harlequin in Katie Mitchell’s production of Ariadne auf Naxos and a return to Garsington to make his debut as Prince of Mantua Fantasio.

Montague Rendall returns to Opernhaus Zürich on 29 September to make his debut as Schaunard La bohème in performances conducted by Speranza Scappucci. 

A recent graduate from Zurich's prestigious International Opera Studio, Montague Rendall recently made his debut as Harlequin in Katie Mitchell’s new production of Ariadne auf Naxos at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, a role he reprises later this season at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Further highlights this season include his role and house debut as Marcello in Barrie Kosky’s new production of La bohème at Komische Oper Berlin and a role debut as Duke of Mantua Fantasio at Garsington Opera. On the concert platform he performs Mendelssohn’s Die Erste Walpurgisnacht with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Performances of La bohème continue until 14 October.

Lise Davidsen returns to the title role of Ariadne auf Naxos from 4 July 2018 at the Festival International d'Art Lyrique d'Aix-en-Provence. Davidsen is a former artist of the Académie d'Aix-en-Provence and heads a cast that also includes Huw Montague Rendall as Harlequin. Katie Mitchell's new production is conducted Marc Albrecht.

Davidsen has sung the role of Ariadne to great acclaim already this season at Wiener Staatsoper. Last season she sang the role for her debut at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, which was met with universal acclaim from the critics:

“It will surely go down as one of those 'I was there' moments... you may banish me to Naxos if she doesn’t become the most wanted Wagnerian soprano of her generation.”
The Times

“The sensation was the Ariadne of Lise Davidsen. The young Norwegian soprano’s voice, silken at the top, rich with deep mezzo colours, pours forth flawlessly as if in one clear, stupendous breath. It’s one of the greatest voices I have heard.”
Observer

Montague Rendall is currently a member of the International Opera Studio Zürich, where his roles include Nardo La finta giardiniera, Papageno (cover) Die Zauberflöte, Nazarener Salome and Yamadori in a new production of Madama Butterfly. Ariadne auf Naxos is his debut both as Harlequin and at Aix. Looking ahead he makes debuts in leading roles with Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Komische Oper Berlin and Garsington Opera.

Ariadne auf Naxos runs until 16 July.

Huw Montague Rendall and Natalia Tanasii sing Nardo and Arminda in Mozart La finta giardiniera with Opernhaus Zürich at Theather Winterthur on 5 May 2018. Montague Rendall and Tanasii sing alongside fellow members of the prestigious International Opera Studio.

Later this season, Montague Rendall makes his role and house debut at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence as Harlequin Ariadne auf Naxos in a new production by Katie Mitchell which will be revived next season at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Further highlights next season include his debut as a guest artist at Opernhaus Zürich singing Schaunard La bohème followed by a role and house debut as Marcello La bohème at Komische Oper. On the concert platform he appears with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performing Mendelssohn’s Die Erste Walpurgisnacht. Further ahead he makes debuts as Prince of Mantua Fantasio, Ned Keene Peter Grimes and Papageno Die Zauberflöte.

Tanasii opened last season at Den Norkse Opera & Ballet with Calixto Bieito’s staged production of Britten War Requiem, a production she later revisited at the Teatro Arriaga in Bilbao. Later in the season she made her debut as Fiordiligi in a new production of Cosi fan tutte and reprised the role of Micaela Carmen, both at Den Norske Opera & Ballet. Her roles in Zürich this season included Sklave Salome; Undis, Birks Mutter/Wilddrude Ronja Räubertochter and cover Micaela Carmen. Further ahead she sings Tatiana Eugene Onegin.

Performances of La finta giardiniera run until 18 May.

Natalia Tanasii and Huw Montague Rendall join Opernhaus Zürich's new production of Madama Butterfly from 10 December 2017, singing the roles of Yamadori and Kate Pinkerton. The producion is directed by Ted Huffman and conducted by Daniele Rustioni.

Tanasii and Montague Rendall are both current members of the prestigious International Opera Studio at Opernhaus Zürich and former Jerwood Young Artists at the Glyndebourne Festival.

Montague Rendall made his debut at the Salzburg Festspiele last summer in the role of Second Apprentice Wozzeck and has sung Ramiro L’Heure Espagnole, Deputati Don Carlo, Nardo La finta giardiniera and Foreman 3 Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District in Zürich. This season he makes his role and house debut as Harlequin Ariadne auf Naxos at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence alongside Lise Davidsen and Eric Cutler. In Zürich his roles include Nardo La finta giardiniera, Papageno (cover) Die Zauberflöte and Nazarener Salome.

Tanasii opened last season at Den Norkse Opera & Ballet with Calixto Bieito’s staged production of Britten’s War Requiem, a production she later revisited at the Teatro Arriaga in Bilbao. Later in the season she made her debut as Fiordiligi in a new production of Cosi fan tutte and reprised the role of Micaela Carmen, both at Den Norske Opera & Ballet. Her roles in Zürich this season include Sklave Salome; Undis, Birks Mutter/Wilddrude Ronja Räubertochter and Arminda La finta giardiniera. Further ahead she sings Tatiana Eugene Onegin.

Performances of Madama Butterfly run until 10 January 2018.

Rachel Wilson and Huw Montague Rendall join the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra on 20 October 2017 for a concert commemmorating Leonard Bernstein at 100. Rüütel and Montague Rendall perform Duruflé Requiem and Elgar Sea Pictures.

Montague Rendall, a current member of the International Opera Studio at Opernhaus Zürich, made his debut at the Salzburg Festspiele last summer in the role of Second Apprentice Wozzeck. This season he makes his role and house debut as Harlequin Ariadne auf Naxos at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence alongside Lise Davidsen and Eric Cutler. In Zürich his roles include Nardo La finta giardiniera, Papageno (cover) Die Zauberflöte, Nazarener Salome and Yamadori in a new production of Madama Butterfly.

Wilson is a current member of the Bayerische Staatsoper Ensemble. Her recent highlights include Die Zauberflöte in Tokyo with the Bayerische Staatsoper, her debuts as Dorabella in Così fan tutte and Fatima Oberon with Bayerische Staatsoper and John Adams Nixon in China with the composer and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Forthcoming highlights at Bayerische Staatsoper include Mulattin Andrea Chenier, Wellgunde & Schwertleite Der Ring des Nibelungen, Mercédès Carmen, Tisbe La Cenerentola, Dryade Ariadne auf Naxos, Pantalis Mefistofele, Alisa Lucia di Lammermoor and Stimme aus der Höhe & Blumenmädchen Parsifal.

The Salzburg Festival begins on 21 July 2017, and this summer four Intermusica singers perform throughout its duration. Sir Willard White returns to Salzburg to sing the role of Publio in Mozart La clemenza di Tito in Peter Sellars' new production from 27 July. Performing under the baton of Teodor Currentzis, White joins a cast that also features Russell Thomas, Golda Schultz, Christina Gansch, Marianne Crebassa and Jeanine De Bique. The opening night performance will be broadcast live by ORF and by BR.

Also performing at Salzburg this summer are three singers making their debuts at the festival: Michael Colvin, Huw Montague Rendall and Jamez McCorkle. Colvin's debut at the festival is as the Duke of Cornwall in a new production of Reimann's Lear, which opens on 20 August. Colvin returns to the role following performances last season at Opéra de Paris. Next season, he makes debuts at Vlaamse Opera singing Caius Falstaff and at Monte Carlo where he reprises the role of Bob Boles Peter Grimes. He also returns to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, to sing Bardolfo Falstaff.

Both Huw Montague Rendall and Jamez McCorkle join Salzburg's prestigious Young Artists Programme and also make their debuts on the main stage. McCorkle sings Fante del Consiglio I due Foscari and covers Tito La clemenza di Tito, while Montague Rendall sings Second Apprentice Wozzeck. In addition to these roles, both artists will appear in the Young Artists Programme Final Concert on 26 August. Next season, both McCorkle and Montague Rendall will be members of the International Opera Studio at Opernhaus Zürich.

Huw Montague Rendall makes his role debut as Ramiro in Opernhaus Zürich's new production of Ravel L’Heure Espagnole from 4 May 2017, part of a double bill with L’enfant et les sortilèges. Jan Eßinger directs and Pavel Baleff conducts the performances, which are a showcase of the International Opera Studio at Theater Winterthur.

Formerly a Jerwood Young Artist at Glyndebourne and winner of the prestigious John Christie Award, 23-year-old Montague Rendall joined the International Opera Studio Opernhaus Zürich this season. This summer he joins the Salzburg Festival Young Artist Programme and makes his debut in William Kentridge’s production of Wozzeck. After his graduation from the Zürich studio in 2018, he makes debuts at the Aix-en-Provence Festival and Théâtre des Champs-Elysées.

L’Heure Espagnole opens on 4 May with performances until 14 May.

Huw Montague Rendall was awarded the prestigious John Christie Award on 28 August 2016, following his performance in the role of Fiorello in Glyndebourne Festival Opera’s production of Il barbiere di Siviglia, at both Glyndebourne Festival 2016 and the BBC Proms. As a 2016 Jerwood Young Artist, Montague Rendall was part of the Glyndebourne chorus, performing in productions of Le nozze di Figaro, Béatrice et Bénédict and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.

The annual award is given to a promising young singer to fund private study, and the recipient receives funding towards their further training and development as a singer. Previous award recipients have included Kate Royal (2004), Matthew Rose (2006), Allan Clayton (2008), Duncan Rock (2010) and Louise Alder (2014).

Montague Rendall now begins his 2016/17 season as part of the International Opera Studio Opernhaus Zürich, and sings the roles of Deputati Don Carlo, Foreman 3 Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and L’Orloge/Chat L’Enfant et les Sortileges/L’Heure Espagnole. Next summer Montague Rendall makes his debut at the Salzburg Festival.

Danielle de Niese returns to Glyndebourne Festival Opera this month to make her role debut as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, opening on 22 May 2016

Conducted by Enrique Mazzola and directed by Annabel Arden, De Niese leads the cast which includes Intermusica artists Christophoros Stamboglis, who makes his festival debut as Basilio, and Jerwood Artist Huw Montague Rendall as Fiorello. The production transfers to the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms 2016 on 25 July.

De Niese returns to Glyndebourne after great success with her performances at the festival in 2015, when she performed in a Ravel double bill as Concepción in L’heure espagnole and the Child in L’enfant et les sortilèges:

“At the centre of both dramas was Danielle de Niese, who showed remarkable versatility in taking on both the errant Concepción in L’Heure and the tantrum-afflicted protagonist of L’Enfant. Her acting was a constant source of stage energy and joie de vivre, her French declamation was idiomatic and full of rhythmic élan, and she sang her one, exquisite little aria, ‘Toi, le Coeur de la rose’, to moving effect.”
Opera, September 2015

Rosina is de Niese's first Rossini role, and next season she makes another important role debut as Donna Elvira at Semperoper Dresden. Other highlights include her debuts at the Ravinia and Edinburgh Festivals as well as Wiener Staatsoper.

Stamboglis, a veteran of buffo roles, has recently appeared as Bartolo Le nozze di Figaro at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Real and Grand Théâtre de Genève and the title role of Don Pasquale in Rennes. Future engagements include Royal Opera House Covent Garden and Bayerische Staatsoper.

Huw Montague Rendall is a 2016 Jerwood artist. Following his summer at Glyndebourne he will join the International Opera Studio in Zurich.

Following the opening on 22 May performances continue throughout May, June and July before closing with the exclusive performance at the BBC Proms on 22 July.