Star Baritone Benjamin Appl: "To Dieter"Premiere Performances of Hong Kong

"Sustaining intensity with even the tiniest sound, Appl's baritone is velvety smooth, supported by Baillieu's responsive piano at every turn.” The Guardian

“One of the great interpreters of song of his generation” Seen and Heard International

“His singing reached so many people and he touched their hearts with the art of song. For me he was more than just a teacher. Thank you, Dieter.” Benjamin Appl


Celebrated for a voice that “belongs to the last of the old great masters of song” with “an almost infinite range of colours”(Suddeutsche Zeitung), and for performances“delivered with wit, intelligence and sophistication” (Gramophone magazine), star baritone Benjamin Appl returns to Hong Kong with a stunningly-curated Lieder programme honoring his legendary mentor, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. As the final protégé of Fischer-Dieskau, this special programme presents a deeply personal homage to a mentor whose influence has profoundly shaped Appl's artistic journey.

A former BBC New Generation Artist (2014-16), Wigmore Hall Emerging Artist and ECHO Rising Star (2015-16), Benjamin was also awarded Gramophone Award Young Artist of the Year (2016). Since then, he has graced major stages including Carnegie Hall, the Barbican Centre London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Wiener Konzerthaus.

Appl will be joined by his long-term collaborator, the celebrated pianist James Baillieu, described as “in a class of his own” (The Daily Telegraph). The duo made their Hong Kong debut with Premiere Performances in 2018 and their sold-out Carnegie Hall debut in 2023. They will perform works by Schubert, Schumann, and more.

Programme
FIRST ENCOUNTER
SCHUBERT
Liebesbotschaft from Schwanengesang

SCHUBERT
Am Bach im Frühling

SCHUBERT
Der Musensohn

CHILDHOOD IN BERLIN
ALBERT FISCHER-DIESKAU
Heidenröslein from Singspiel Sesenheim

KLAUS FISCHER-DIESKAU
Der Mutter gewidmet , Nocturne I, Op. 1, No. 1 (excerpt)

KLAUS FISCHER-DIESKAU
Wehmut, Op. 3, No. 2


YOUTH AND FIRST STEPS AS A SINGER
BRAHMS
Wie bist du, meine Königin, from 9 Lieder and Songs, Op. 32, No. 9

SCHUBERT
Der Lindenbaum from Winterreise

WAR TIMES AND BEING A SOLDIER (1944/45)
WOLF
Andenken

REIMANN
Tenebrae from 5 Gedichte von Paul Celan, No. 3

PRISONER OF WAR (1945-1947)
TCHAIKOVSKY
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt from 6 Romances, Op. 6, No. 6

KÜNNEKE
Ich bin nur ein armer Wandergessell from Der Vetter aus Dingsda

RETURN TO BERLIN (1947)
EISLER
Die Heimkehr from Hollywood Liederbuch

GRIEG
Der Traum from 6 Songs, Op. 48, No. 6

INTERVAL

FIRST STEPS OF A WORLD CAREER
BRAHMS
Vier ernste Gesänge

SONG ACCOMPANISTS AND FRIENDS
SCHUBERT
An mein Klavier

BRITTEN
Proverb III from Songs and Proverbs of Wiliam Blake

LOSS OF HIS FIRST WIFE IRMEL (1963)
LOEWE
Süßes Begräbnis from 12 Gedichte, Op. 62, Book I, No. 4

DEATH OF MOTHER THEODORA (1966)
EISLER
Mutterns Hände

MARITAL LIFE (Ruth Leuwerik 1965-1967 // Kristina Pugell 1968-1975 // Julia Varady 1977-2012)
SCHUBERT
Liebhaber in allen Gestalten

C. SCHUMANN
Liebst du um Schönheit, Op. 12, No. 2

EPILOGUE
C. WEBER
Meine Lieder, meine Sänger, Op. 15, No. 1

SCHUBERT
Litanei auf das Fest aller Seelen

SCHUBERT
An die Musik

More Details: http://www.pphk.org/

- For ages 8 or above.
- Programmes and artists are subject to change.
- Latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break.