Liam James Karai
PRAISED FOR THE "NATURAL" AND “SEEMINGLY EFFORTLESS BEAUTY" OF HIS VOICE.
Liam James Karai is a Bass-baritone of Scottish, Irish and Indian descent who is currently a member of the International Opera Studio at Staatsoper Hamburg. He was previously a young artist at Salzburg Festspiele as well as a finalist of the 41st International Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition. Upcoming roles in his 2023/24 season at Staatsoper Hamburg include roles such as Angelotti (Tosca), Hobson (Peter Grimes), Zaretsky (Eugine Onegin), Il Conte di Ceprano (Rigoletto), Alcindoro (La bohème), Antonio (Le nozze di Figaro), covering Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), covering Alidoro (La Cenerentola) and covering Colline (La bohème). Outside of Hamburg, Liam will be debuting Escamillo (Carmen) within a new production at Staatstheater Mainz as well as debuting at Oper Leipzig as Verwalter & Wächter (Lady Macbeth von Mzensk), a role he already performed at Staatsoper Hamburg. In his previous season at Staatsoper Hamburg, Liam performed as Sciarrone (Tosca), Verwalter & Wächter (Lady Macbeth von Mzensk), Un Usciere di Courte (Rigoletto), Narziss (Die kuh – doch halt nein nein) and coved Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro).
Alongside his operatic career, Liam is a keen concert soloist and has regularly performed in opera galas, recitals and concerts around the world. Upcoming concerts include his Elbphilharmonie Groẞer Saal debut singing as the Bass Soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kent Negano. Last season Liam performed as the Bass Soloist for several other works including Mozart Requiem and Bach’s Weihnachtsoratorium. He also made his Elbphilharmonie Kleiner Saal debut alongside his colleagues from the Opera Studio, performing extracts as Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni) and Ralph (La jolie fille de Perth).
Press
Karai's Figaro was sincere and centred, and his bass voice was delightful - Matthew Dougall - Number 9 Reviews
"Two extremely talented young singers provide surprises. Liam James Karai, gives his Escamillo a self-confidence and bass-baritone virility that does not fail to have an effect on the trophy huntress Carmen"
- Bettina Boyens (Allgemeine Zeitung)
"Most interesting, however, is Escamillo, who is portrayed in his first appearance as a mysterious savior, but as a local hero in a dirty T-shirt. Liam James Karai's unassuming, self-confident demeanor compares well with the noble sound of his youthful bass-baritone"
- Robin Passon (Orpheus Magazine)
"The crowd chats and drinks, Escamillo, his shirt already stained with blood, is an approachable man with Liam James Karai (with a very well-founded bass-baritone)"
- Judith von Sternburg (Frankfurter Rundschau)
On Instagram
@Karaicapture
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