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Giulia
Montanari

current productions
Soprano Giulia Montanari sits relaxed on a black stool against a light grey studio background. She leans slightly forward, smiles at the camera, and wears a cream-coloured, subtly lustrous long-sleeved blouse paired with grey trousers. Her shoulder-length, softly wavy hair frames her face naturally. The portrait conveys an open and friendly impression.
Soprano Giulia Montanari © Teresa Rothwangl

vita

Italian soprano Giulia Montanari grew up in Munich and studied musicology at LMU Munich and opera singing at the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar.

Giulia Montanari established herself as a soloist and ensemble singer in oratorio and concert performances at an early age. She developed a very broad and demanding repertoire, with which she performed throughout Europe under the baton of renowned conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Ulf Schirmer and Mariss Jansons with ensembles such as the Norwegian Soloist Choir and the Bavarian Radio Choir and Orchestra.

In 2017, she made her debut at the German National Theatre in Weimar as Papagena in "Die Zauberflöte" and appeared there regularly in various roles for two years. This was followed by an engagement at the Opernstudio NRW with opera productions at several major German opera houses such as the Dortmund Opera, the Musiktheater im Revier and the Aalto Theatre in Essen. At the latter, Giulia Montanari received a permanent engagement for the 2020 to 2022 seasons, singing Euridice in "Orfeo ed Euridice", Adele in "Die Fledermaus", Fiakermilli in "Arabella" and Sandrina in "La finta giardiniera", among others.

A sample of her work can be heard on the CD recording of Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony with the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Tomás Netopil, released in 2022 by Naxos.

Giulia Montanari has been a member of the Cologne Opera ensemble since 2022.

During the 22/23 season, she played Ascagne in Berlioz's "Les Troyens", Clorinda in Rossini's "La Cenerentola", Cleopatra in Handel's "Giulio Cesare", the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" and Blonde in Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail".

In 23/24, she played the Guardian of the Threshold of the Temple and the Falcon in Strauss's "Die Frau ohne Schatten" and the Pastor in Puccini's "Tosca".

In the 24/25 season, she played Eve in Haydn's "Die Schöpfung", Angelica in Handel's "Orlando", Lya in Krasznay-Krausz's "Eine Frau von Format", Zerlina in Mozart's "Don Giovanni", Cleopatra in Handel's "Giulio Cesare" and the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte" as well as in "Die Zauberflöte für Jung und Alt".

In 25/26, she appeared as the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte", as Woglinde in Wagner's "Das Rheingold", as Michal in Handel's "Saul", as Clorinda in Rossini's "La Cenerentola" and as Susanna in Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro".

In the 26/27 season, she will appear as Sophie in Richard Strauss’ "Der Rosenkavalier", the opening production marking Cologne Opera’s return to Offenbachplatz. She will also perform the roles of Olympia/Giulietta in Stefan Herheim’s production of Jacques Offenbach’s "Hoffmanns Erzählungen", as well as the Woodbird in Richard Wagner’s "Siegfried", part of the new Cologne Ring cycle conceived by Paul-Georg Dittrich. In addition, she will sing the Queen of the Night in Michael Hampe’s fairytale-like production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s "Die Zauberflöte", as well as Fortuna/Drusilla in Ted Huffman’s highly acclaimed production of Claudio Monteverdi’s "Die Krönung der Poppea". At Kinderoper Köln, she will perform the title role in Beka Savić’s 2015 production of Igor Stravinsky’s "Die Nachtigall", which will be presented in the newly built, unique children’s opera house at Offenbachplatz.

current productions with Giulia Montanari

  • Festakt der Bühnen

    Blick von der Bühne in den Zuschauerraum der Oper am Offenbachplatz mit ansteigenden Sitzreihen mit hellblauen Bezügen, mehreren geschwungenen Balkonen und warmen Holzvertäfelungen.
    Detailaufnahme der markanten Holzvertäfelung im Saalinnenraum der Oper Köln am Offenbachplatz. Die Maserung des Holzes ist deutlich sichtbar und wirkt lebendig, während die warme Farbgebung dem Raum eine elegante und einladende Wirkung verleiht.

  • Hoffmanns Erzählungen

    Jacques Offenbach

    Nahaufnahme eines Mannes mittleren Alters vor schwarzem Hintergrund in warmer, cineastischer Lichtstimmung. Mit kurzem, zerzaustem braunem Haar liegt er auf einem wasserbedeckten Boden und blickt den Betrachter an. Er trägt ein weißes Hemd; Gesicht und Oberkörper spiegeln sich in der dunklen Wasserfläche. Sein erschöpfter, introvertierter Ausdruck vermittelt Rückblick, Sehnsucht und innere Zerrissenheit. Die Szene erinnert an Hoffmann aus Jacques Offenbachs Hoffmanns Erzählungen.
    Abstraktes, stimmungsvolles Bild in kühlen Blau- und warmen Rosétönen: Weiche Farbverläufe und unscharfe Übergänge erzeugen eine traumartige Atmosphäre und evozieren die Welt von Hoffmanns Erzählungen von Jacques Offenbach.

    Premiere | OPER on

  • Siegfried

    Richard Wagner

    Close-up of a young man in cinematic lighting. Shown in right-facing profile, he gazes into the distance with a vigilant and determined expression. His silvery-blond hair is swept back, while multiple earrings add a modern, subtly rebellious edge. Cool blue and violet light shapes his luminous skin and accentuates the contours of his face. The dark background enhances the dramatic effect. A contemporary interpretation of Siegfried from Richard Wagner’s opera Siegfried.
    Abstract, atmospheric image in cool, blending tones of blue, violet, and deep red. The soft transitions create a calm yet mysterious atmosphere. The color composition appears deep and layered, with a dark, nearly black edge that subtly brightens toward the center. Overall, the image conveys a dense, dramatic mood, evoking night, tension, and inner strength, and reflectively capturing the mythical, intense world of Richard Wagner’s opera Siegfried.

    Premiere | OPER on

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