René Pape

René Pape rides wave of praise for Méphistophélès at Met

9 December 2011 — Riding Wave of Praise for His Méphistophélès at Met, René Pape Will Sign CDs at Met Shop (Dec 9) and Star in Worldwide HD Broadcast of Faust (Dec 10)

Once again, René Pape is earning universal acclaim for his Méphistophélès in Faust, this time in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Gounod’s opera that runs to January 19. Dubbing Pape “the phenomenal bass” after the November 29 opening, Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times described the singer’s Méphistophélès as “vocally stentorian,” his devilish portrayal “all suavity and calculation.” Eager to meet his fans when not playing the sulfurous one on stage, Pape will appear at the Met Opera Shop at 3pm on Friday, December 9 to sign CDs – including his most recent internationally lauded Deutsche Grammophon release, Wagner Arias. Opera lovers worldwide can revel in Pape’s command as Méphistophélès when Faust is beamed to cinemas worldwide on December 10 as part of the ever-popular “Met – Live in HD” series.

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René Pape reprises his Méphistophélès in Met “Faust”

27 November 2011 — René Pape Takes His Méphistophélès Back to Met on Nov 29, with CD Signing at Met Shop on Dec 9 and Worldwide HD Broadcast of Faust on Dec 10

Few singers bring Méphistophélès to life like bass René Pape, who reprises his portrayal of the charming devil at the Metropolitan Opera in a November 29-January 19 run of Gounod's Faust, staged by Des McAnuff. Pape launched his season in the highly esteemed all-star David McVicar production of Faust at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The glowing reviews included this from the UK's Daily Telegraph: "René Pape was simply magnificent as Méphistophélès, his vocal power, histrionic authority and sly wit putting him in the Chaliapin league." During the Met run, to celebrate his internationally lauded new Deutsche Grammophon release, Wagner, Pape will meet his New York fans at 3 pm on December 9, when he signs CDs at the Met Opera Shop. The following day, opera lovers worldwide can revel in Pape's devilish portrayal of Méphistophélès when Faust is beamed to cinemas worldwide as part of the ever-popular Met in HD series.

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René Pape kicks off 2011-12 with “Faust” (ROH & Met) and Wagner CD

15 September 2011 — René Pape launches his 2011-12 season on September 18, when he stars as Méphistophélès in the all-star David McVicar production of Gounod’s Faust at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The Covent Garden Faust runs until October 10, with the September 28 performance to be beamed live into cinemas around the world. Already lauded in Europe as “unquestionably magnificent” (Guardian, UK), Pape’s latest Deutsche Grammophon solo album, titled Wagner Arias, will be released in the U.S. on October 4. And the German singer crosses the Atlantic to play the Devil again in another starry production of Faust, this time at the Metropolitan Opera, in the Des McAnuff staging that runs from November 29 to January 19.

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René Pape Wins 2011 ECHO Klassik for “Opera Recording of the Year” 

26 July 2011 — René Pape’s release on Deutsche Grammophon of Wagner arias with Daniel Barenboim and the Berlin Staatskapelle has won a 2011 ECHO Klassik for “Opera Recording of the Year.” This is Pape’s second ECHO Klassik award, which is generally recognized as the German equivalent of the Grammy Award. Pape won his first ECHO Klassik for his debut Deutsche Grammophon recording, Gods, Kings and Demons.

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