Christopher Sokolowski is rapidly gaining recognition for his electrifying stage presence and commanding vocal artistry, marked by a ​“shimmering velvet voice” and ​“Wagnerian power” (Ôlyrix). Praised for his ​“radiant high register” (Das Opernglas), Sokolowski’s 2024/25 season features a series of significant role debuts. He will take on the title role of Lohengrin in a new production at Theater Bremen, conducted by Stefan Klingele, and portrays Manolios in Martinů’s The Greek Passion at Staatsoper Hannover, directed by Barbora Horáková. He performs Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 under the direction of Vladimir Jurowski with Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin at Konzerthaus Berlin.

Lucas van Lierop was born to sing and began his musical journey as a boy soprano with Vancouver Bach Children’s Choir, later joining the prestigious Dutch National Opera Studio under the mentorship of Rosemary Joshua. Now establishing himself as a versatile and dynamic artist, he has a string of major productions across Europe this season, making debuts at the Salzburg Festival in Capriccio under the baton of Christian Thielemann and at Theater Basel as Pong (Turandot) in Christoph Loy’s anticipated new staging. He returns to the Dutch National Opera as Bob Bowles (Peter Grimes) in Barbora Horáková’s new production led by Lorenzo Viotti.