We use cookies to analyse data about our visitors, to improve our website, to display personalised content and to give you a great website experience.
We use cookies to analyse data about our visitors, to improve our website, to display personalised content and to give you a great website experience. Cookie policy
Her story is like a fairy tale: born in a small town in South Africa, Pretty Yende heard the famous Flower Duet from Leo Delibes' Lakmé in an airline's advertisement when she was 16, and became obsessed with the ambition to sing this music herself one day. She was lucky, won a scholarship to study in Cape Town and then conquered the operatic world in record time. Soon after, she won two prestigious singing competitions: Belvedere and Plácido Domingo’s Operalia. She gained her international renown with her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Adèle in Rossini’s Comte Ory alongside Juan Diego Flórez (17th January 2013). The reviews were more than positive. She stepped in for Nino Machaidze and assumed the role in one week! “As unbelievable start of an unbelievable career” wrote one of the reviews. Nachtigall Artists managed to bring to soprano to Prague soon after her triumph in New York. Her debut in Prague at the Smetana Hall on 27th January 2014 with PKF – Prague Philharmonia received a great critical acclaim “A phenomenon on its start”. Her second Prague concert 20th April 2017 with Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic confirmed that she is an established world star. Her current engagements bring her to the most prestigious stages around the world. Apart from her obvious musical talent which is confirmed by both critics and the audience (in April 2019 she won the Readers’ Award at the 2018 International Opera Awards), Pretty Yende established herself as an fighter for equal opportunities and human rights. In 2013, she conferred the Silver Order of Ikhamanga from the hands of Nelson Mandel for works in the arts and with her dedication to youth education. In South Africa, she started a foundation and devotes herself to musical education of young people from poor areas of the country, for whom she is a positive model and to whom she gives hope for a better future.
Pretty Yende included her recital at the Smetana Hall into her exclusive tour which will commence in Frankfurt (29th October); from Prague, she will travel to the famous Barbican Hall in London (25th November), and her tour will finish at Carnegie Hall, New York (4th December). In Lieder repertoire of famous Romantic composers, she will be accompanied by the excelled Italian pianist Michele D'Elia who is a regular partner to renowned artists including Pretty Yende and Juan Diego Flórez and who introduced himself on festivals in Baden-Baden and Verbier, and opera houses in Zurich, Rome, Venice and La Scala, Milan. D’Elia also takes part at masterclasses of exclusive artists (Renato Bruson, Mirella Freni, Luciana Serra, Luis Alva, Raina Kabaivanska, Luciana D'Intino, Katia Ricciarelli and Alberto Zedda).
Program selection
ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810–1856)
Der Nussbaum, Op. 25/3
Mein Schöner Stern, Op. 101/4
Widmung, Op. 25/1
Schmetterling, Op. 79/1
Loreley, Op. 53/2
Aufträge, Op. 77/5
Waldesgespräch, Op. 39/3
GAETANO DONIZETTI (1797–1848)
Barcarolle
La conocchia
Le crépuscule
from the cycle Nuits d'été à Pausilippe
Que n'avons nous des ailes (Lucia)
Lucia di Lammermoor, Act I
PAOLO TOSTI (1846–1916)
Aprile
Ideale
Malià
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Zueignung, Op. 10/1
Kling!, Op. 48/3
Allerseelen, Op. 10/8
Ständchen, Op. 17/2
Ich schwebe, Op. 48/2
Cäcilie, Op. 27/2
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
Klänge der Heimat (Rosalinde)
Die Fledermaus, Act II
Program is subject to change
