NEWS

 

Devilish Capers

 

At the annual Balls of the Mittelsächsisches Theater in the Theaters of Freiberg and Döbeln Frank Blees has appeared as Méphistophélès from Gounod's Faust. And in a short additional program that was presented in several rooms of the theatres he incorporated the same role.

 

Since August of 2022 Frank Blees is member of the ensemble of the Mittelsächsisches Theater Freiberg-Döbeln, which presents its productions in the theatres of Freiberg and Doebeln as well. His first role in Doebeln and Freiberg was Sir John Falstaff in Otto Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor, after he had already appreared in the title role of Donizetti's Don Pasquale and as Prince Basil Basilovich in Lehár's operetta Der Graf von Luxemburg in both cities and at the summer festival at Lake Kriebstein during spring and summer 2022. Futher roles of his first season at the Mittelsächsisches Theater will include Kaiphas in Lloyd Webbers musical Jesus Christ Superstar, Oberst Ollendorf in Millocker's Der Bettelstudent. Moreover he will apper in a solo recital presenting arias from Spanish Zarzuelas.

* * *

Alberich meets his Son size>

 

In September 2018 Frank Blees make his debut as Alberich in Richard Wagners's "Götterdämmerung (The Twilight of the Gods)" at the Stadttheater Minden/Westfalen. These performances conclude the complete production of Wagner Tetralogy "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelungs), which started in 2015. The performances will be conducted by Frank Bleermann, Gerd Heinz (stage director) and Philipp Schlössmann (Costums and stage design) are responsible for the scenic presentation. The cast includes Thomas Mohr (Siegfried), Dara Hobbs (Brünnhilde), Andreas Hörl (Hagen), Andreas Kindschuh (Gunther), Magdalena Anna Hofmann (Gutrune) und Kathrin Göring (Waltraute). The premiere will take place on September 6th, 2018, 5 more performances will follow during the month of September

* * *

A rare opera by Kurt Atterberg at the Staatstheater Braunschweig size>

 

At the Staatstheater Braunschweig Frank Blees will sing the part of Nazzredin, Sultan of Samarkand, in the new production of Swedish composer Kurt Atterberg's rarely performed fairy tale opera "Aladin". Stage director is Andrej Woron, the opera will be conducted by Jonas Alber. The premiere will take place on March 11th, 2017.

* * *

New CD release size>

 

The German label CPO has released a West German Radio production of Sigmund Romberg's famous operetta The Student Prince. The production is sung in the original English language, and Frank Blees can be heard in the important role of Doctor Engel. The recording which is conducted by John Mauceri took place in 2012 in Cologne in connection with a concert performance in the Philharmonie Köln in which Frank Blees also acted as the narrator of the story. The 2 CD box set can be purchased at JPC

* * *

"Oh, ich bin klug und weise" (Van Bett) size>

Costume design: Petra Mollérus

 

At the Landestheater Detmold Frank Blees will sing the role of Van Bett in Albert Lortzing's comis opera Zar und Zimmermann. The Première will take place on May 27th at the Landestheater Detmold. The opera is staged by Wolf Widder, György Mészáros is the conductor of this new production.

* * *

"Ella giammai m'amò" (Filipo II)

 

In January 2016 Frank Blees sang Filippo II in Verdi's Opera Don Carlo, one of his most-loved operatic roles, as a guest at the Landesbühnen Sachsen, first during a guest performance in Lutherstadt Eisleben, and some days later also in the home of the Landesbühnen Sachsen in Radebeul.

* * *

* * *

At the Bnro National Theatre Frank Blees will again sing the title role in Richard Wagner's Der fliegende Holländer during the season 2014/15.

* * *

The Flying Dutchman at the Brno National Theatre

Frank Blees has taken over the title role in Richard Wagner's Der fliegende Holländer at the Brno National Theatre at short notice. The Premiere will take place at September 27th, 2013, further performances with Frank Blees will at Oktober 19th, November 19th, and December 6th.

* * *

Tevye the milkman for the first time

For the first time Frank Blees will sing the main character of Tevye the milkman in the new production of Jerry Bock's famous musical Fiddler on the Roof (Anatevka) at the Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater Schwerin. The first performance will take place on March 30th, 2012.

* * *

Romberg Operetta in Cologne

In June 2012 Frank Blees will take part in a studio production and a concert performance of Sigmund Romberg's operetta The Student Prince under the baton of John Mauceri. Frank Blees will take the part of Dr Engel and will also present the operetta as narrator. The concert will take place at the Cologne Philharmonie on Juni 23rd.

* * *

"...as the Flying Dutchman he is cast ideally." (NDR)

 

Reviews of Der fliegende Holländer (Wagner) in Schwerin:

"...when the curtain closed, there was no more restraint, now rousing applause broke away, and the singers had to return on stage again and again. This Flying Dutchman ist the most moving production the Schwerin Theater has shown for a long time. The production has truly to be recommended, not only for die-heart opera lovers. [...]
Frank Blees of the Schwerin Ensemble has already shown his talent for mystic characters as Sarastro and Duke Bluebeard; als the flying dutchman he is cast ideally. [...] his warm-sounding bass-baritone and his expressiveness put a spell on the public from the first note."
(NDR 1 MW)

"... Frank Blees sings the Flying Dutchman for the first time, and he gives mystical darkness to his role. His baritone convincingly tackles the high parts and maintains robust fortitude for the other registers. All three receive frenetic applause during the final curtains."
(Michael Baumgartl, Schweriner Volkszeitung, 25.01.2010)

"The character of the dutchman was given a new perspective, also in Frank Blees’s singing; not with demonic splendour, not with the defiance of the condemned one, but more as an oppressed man, as a suffering creature.
(H.J. Staszak, Ostseezeitung, 25.01.2010)

"Frank Blees is a highly expressive dutchman, a baritone with a profound low register and reliable high notes."
(FEL, Lübecker Nachrichten, 26.01.2010)

* * *

 

Review of Eliah (Mendelssohn Bartholdy) in Schwerin:

"The whole oratorio is concentrated on the biblical prohet Eliah. Frank Blees with his voluminous, versatile voice was the ideal interpreter of this part. To name just a few highlights: the impressive evocation of fire, the virtuosic aria 'Ist nicht des Herrn Wort wie ein Feuer', and the desparately resigning aria 'Es ist genug'."
(Dr. Reinhard Diekow, Schweriner Volkszeitung, 29.05.2009)

 

Review of Bluebeard's Castle / Gianni Schicchi at the Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater Schwerin:

"Both operas were directed by Arturo Gama. In "Bluebeard's Castle" there were moments of great, almost haunting impact. Regarding the role portrayals he completely relied on the distinct stage presence of his two protagonists who created suspense that could not have been stronger. [...] Frank Blees was a Bluebeard with strong charisma vocally as in his acting. The interplay with Judith, sung by Sarah van der Kemp with bright, almost soprano-like mezzo-soprano, has great intensity. Both singers are able to deliver their texts completely understandable. Besides, they once more demonstared their versatility, since both of them also appeared in the following "Gianni Schicchi", this time in cheerful mood." (Udo-Gustaf Kleff, www.ioco.de, 19.02.2009)

(More reviews on the galery page.)

 

NEU:

Audio and video files can be found at Audio/Video

New fotos (Don Basilio / Curio) see Gallery