German soprano Simone Kermes is a performer who defies easy categorization. While she first rose to prominence as one of the most brilliant interpreters of Baroque and early Classical music, her musical universe expands far beyond: it is a place where opera, early music, cinematic melodies, and the influences of pop seamlessly intertwine.
Interestingly, the singer’s journey to the classical stage was by no means a foregone conclusion. Before beginning her vocal studies at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig, Kermes trained as a technical clerk, and initially dreamed of becoming a pop singer. Ultimately, her immense talent and perseverance paved the way to international acclaim: in 1993, she won first prize at the Felix Mendelssohn Competition in Berlin, and in 2011, she was honored as Singer of the Year at the Echo Klassik awards.
Kermes stands out not only for her masterful coloratura soprano technique and her ability to conquer the most demanding vocal parts, but also for her fiercely independent artistic vision. She initiates her own musical projects and curates concept albums that boldly bridge diverse eras and genres. Her goal is not to preserve music as if in a museum, but to reveal it as something alive, unexpected, and deeply relevant to today’s listener.
Join us at Paliesius Manor on December 5 to experience how Simone Kermes transcends the boundaries of musical eras.
Read more: 12.05 | “Amžinybė”: Simone Kermes (soprano, Germany), Gianluca Geremia (theorbo, Italy)