Isa Katharina Gericke
Soprano - Norway
Isa Katharina Gericke
The soprano Isa Katharina Gericke was educated at Norges Musikkhøgskole in Oslo and Hochschule der Künste in Berlin. In May 2001 she won first prize in the national part of the 'Queen Sonja' competition in Oslo/Trondheim.
The following year she went on to win the 'Newcomer of the Year' prize at the Kissinger-Sommer Festival in Bad Kissingen, Germany. In the Autumn of 2003 she made her debut at the Norwegian Opera as 'Gretel' in the opera 'Hänsel and Gretel' by Humperdinck.
As a soloist, Isa has performed with The Oslo Philharmonic, The BBC Symphony Orchestra, The Tsjeck Philharmonic and The Stavanger Symfonic Orchestra. Conductors she has worked with include Sir Andrew Davies, Manfred Honneck, Friedrich Haider, Philippe Auguin and Philipe Herreweghe.
In 2008 Isa performed the role of 'Euridice' in 'Orfeo' by Monteverdi during the opening season of Oslo's wonderful new opera house, and in October she gave a recital at London's Wigmore Hall.
"Gericke's voice is young and with a fresh beauty. It sounds light and with a precise intonation, not a single unintentional vibrato stirs the expression. What is evident... is how her voice has grown in fullness and timbre.
Ståle Wikshåland, 'Dagbladet', Oslo at the Stavanger International Chamber Music Festival, August 2007
Isa is very interested in the songs of the Norwegian Romance Tradition, the Norwegian equivalent of the German Lied, and her research in this area led to her 2003 recording of 'Waldabendlust', a recording which has aroused considerable interest and critical acclaim. In a CD to released by Naxos Isa sings the role of 'Solveig' in Grieg's 'Peer Gynt'. [Reviewed on Classics Today website]
Isa is also a driving force behind the newly established Oslo Baroque Opera, while her creativity also finds an outlet in her work as Artistic Director of Glogerfestspillene, a chamber music festival which takes place every January in Kongsberg, Norway.
Isa performed at the Casa dei Mezzo Norwegian Music Concert which took place at London's Wigmore Hall on Friday 17th October 2008.
In October 2009 Isa was awarded the prestigious Norwegian "Wesselprisen" culture prize by Herreklubben Norske Selskab. See the Kulturentusiastene [Norwegian language] website for further details.
Isa Katharina Gericke's website
Casa dei Mezzo Music Festival appearances: 2013,2012,2011,2009,2008,2007
