Joseph Schlesinger

• Countertenor

Biography

Joseph Schlesinger performed the role of Feodor in Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov and the role of Paul in Micha Hamel’s Snow White for the Nationale Reisopera. Other contemporary opera engagements include world premieres of Jan van de Putte’s Wet Snow for the Holland Festival, Alison Isadora’s 6 ½ Hours for Gaudeamus Contemporary Music Institute, Henk Alkema’s Bonifacius for Stichting RIXT, and Judith Weir’s A Night at the Chinese Opera for the Poortersfestival in Amersfoort, the Netherlands. In 2005 Mr. Schlesinger performed John Adams’ heralded contemporary oratorio, El Niño, at the Palais de Beaus Arts, Brussels under the direction of Sian Edwards. Recently he sung in the Dutch tour of Phaëton (Lully) with Opera Animous.

Mr. Schlesinger’s Baroque repertoire includes J.S.Bach’s Magnificat, Weihnachts Oratorium, B-minor Mass, St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, and other cantatas and oratorio composed by Telemann, Schütz, Heinichen, Zachow, Zelenka and Händel. Mr. Schlesinger performed on the stage with the Netherlands Opera Choir in Handel’s Samson and made his solo debut at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam in 2004 in Francesco Cavalli’s Didone with Ensemble Elyma. His other operatic repertoire includes Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, L’Orfeo and Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria.

Mr. Schlesinger joined conductor, Karen P. Thomas, to record Bach’s B minor Mass with Seattle Pro Musica. The Kassiopeia Quintet also invited Mr. Schlesinger to record Don Carlo Gesualdo’s madrigals from Books I, II and III for Globe Records. From the acoustic to the visual, Mr. Schlesinger can be seen in the films, The Ascent and My Best Friend’s Wedding.