Hubbry Logo
Benjamin ApplBenjamin ApplMain
Open search
Benjamin Appl
Community hub
Benjamin Appl
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Benjamin Appl
Benjamin Appl
Benjamin Appl
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Benjamin Appl (born 26 June 1982) is a German-British lyric baritone, a classical singer who has appeared worldwide in opera houses and concert halls, particularly known as a Lieder singer.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Born in Regensburg, Appl has two older brothers, with whom he sang as a chorister with the Regensburger Domspatzen, the boys' choir at the Regensburg Cathedral, performing in concerts across Europe and Asia. Following secondary school, rather than spending a compulsory year in the army he completed his alternative community service working for the Bayerischer Blinden- und Sehbehindertenbund in Regensburg, providing assistance to blind people in the community. He started training as a bank clerk at the Liga Bank in Regensburg. He then studied business administration at the University of Regensburg, graduating in 2009 with a diploma. His diploma thesis, an empirical study of withdrawn initial public offerings, received the highest possible marks.[1] He was awarded a scholarship from the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes between 2007 and 2012.[2]

While studying for his management diploma, he auditioned at the Musikhochschule Augsburg for the soloist class taught by Edith Wiens. Under her tutelage, he continued his vocal training from 2008 at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München, and at the opera class at Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding, based at the Prinzregententheater. He also participated in Helmut Deutsch's Lieder class.

In 2009, Appl met Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau at a public masterclass of the Schubertiade in Schwarzenberg, Austria, which led to his receiving private lessons as his last student until Fischer-Dieskau's death in May 2012.[3]

In 2010, Appl moved to London to study singing at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Rudolf Piernay, intending to study part-time while improving his English, before returning to a career in business in Germany after one year. However, he states that "London was quite life-changing", and he "made contact with great management companies, with Wigmore Hall, with some conductors" while still getting offers to return to the bank, but although "it was tempting to return to a safe haven", he eventually decided to pursue his vocal career.[4] During this time, he attended masterclasses with Brigitte Fassbaender, Gerald Finley, Christian Gerhaher, Thomas Hampson, and Peter Schreier, among others. In 2019, he became a British citizen.

Recitals

[edit]
Appl performing a recital in Detmold, 7 November 2017

Appl has given recitals regularly at Wigmore Hall in London and the Schubertiade, and has performed at major venues including Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and the Musée du Louvre in Paris. He has performed at the Ravinia Festival, Rheingau Musik Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, LIFE Victoria Festival Barcelona, Leeds Lieder and Oxford Lieder Festival. He has collaborated with pianists Graham Johnson and James Baillieu, and has also performed recitals with Kit Armstrong, Kristian Bezuidenhout, Helmut Deutsch, Julius Drake, Boris Giltburg, Pavel Kolesnikov, Simon Lepper, Malcolm Martineau, Wolfram Rieger, Martin Stadtfeld and Roger Vignoles. In an interview in 2024 Appl commented that the art song is "just the highest achievement I can have as an artist, in terms of being my own stage director, my own conductor, being in charge of every decision in every moment. The feeling of nakedness, of the direct communication, facing the audience, seeing them, not having the bright stage lights like in opera, or the pit between — it’s a brutal connection you have to have with the audience...."[4]

On March 13, 2022, in Dortmund, Germany, with Lise de la Salle on piano, he premiered flower, forget me, songs by David Lang for baritone and piano.[5] They were "commissioned by Konzerthaus Dortmund" for Appl, "specifically to go on a program with Schubert's great song cycle Die Schöne Müllerin".[6] On February 16, 2025, he sang the work's United States premiere in Town Hall in Manhattan, with Shai Wosner on piano.[7]

Opera

[edit]

While studying at the August Everding Academy, Appl took part in opera and operetta productions, including appearing as Ypsheim-Gindelbach in Wiener Blut,[8] Falke in Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauß, Schaunard in Puccini's La bohème and Baron Tusenbach in Tri sestry by Peter Eötvös. In London, he performed the roles of the Count in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro, Bustamente in La Navarraise, Chevalier des Grieux in Le portrait de Manon, Dr Cajus in Nicolai's Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, and the title role in Britten's Owen Wingrave. Further opera roles include Guglielmo in Mozart's Così fan tutte and Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, Ottokar in Weber's Der Freischütz, Ernesto in Il mondo della luna, F. Scott Fitzgerald in Susan Oswell's Zelda, and Adonis in Venus and Adonis. He appeared as Leo in Bernhard Gander's Das Leben am Rande der Milchstraße for Bregenzer Festspiele and Konzerthaus Vienna,[9] the King in Orff's Die Kluge, Aeneas in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas for the Aldeburgh Festival and Brighton Festival,[10] and Tusenbach again for the Berlin State Opera.[11] In 2019, Appl performed the role of Guglielmo in Così fan tutte with The Mozartists, conducted by Ian Page.[12] In 2021 he was Harlequin in Ariadne auf Naxos at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, as well as Jesus in a semi-staged St John Passion at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.[4]

Concerts

[edit]

Appl has performed in concert with orchestras including the Academy of Ancient Music, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, the Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Concerto Köln, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the Dunedin Consort, Gabrieli Consort & Players, Les Violons du Roy, London Philharmonic Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Philadelphia Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Symphony Orchestra of India, Vienna Symphony, and on multiple occasions with the major BBC Orchestras and Singers. He made his Proms debut in September 2015 singing Triumphlied by Brahms with Marin Alsop and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and Orff's Carmina Burana with the BBC Concert Orchestra five days later. In December 2017, he performed alongside Diana Damrau in the ZDF Advent Concert at the Dresden Frauenkirche with the Staatskapelle Dresden conducted by Christian Thielemann, broadcast on national television. He has also performed regularly at the Hamburg State Opera, singing for several of John Neumeier's productions for the Hamburg Ballet.[13]

Awards

[edit]

In 2012, Appl was awarded the German Schubert Society's German Schubert Prize.[14]

Appl was a member of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme between 2014 and 2016.[15] During the season 2015/16 he performed as an ECHO Rising Star,[15] nominated by the Barbican Centre London, in some of Europe's most renowned concert halls including Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Philharmonie de Paris, Philharmonie Luxembourg and Kölner Philharmonie, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Palau de la Música Catalana, Stockholm Concert Hall, Konzerthaus, Vienna, BOZAR Brussels and Laeiszhalle Hamburg.[16] He also became a Wigmore Hall Emerging Talent in 2015.[17]

Gramophone Classical Music Awards named him Young Artist of the Year in 2016.[15] His debut album as an exclusive Sony Classical recording artist, "Heimat", won the Prix Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Best Lieder Singer) at the 2017/18 Académie du disque lyrique [fr] Orphées d'Or.[18]

In 2025 he won the Bavarian Art Prize ('Bayerischer Kunstpreis') in the category "Voice".[19]

Repertoire

[edit]

Benjamin Appl has a vast and varied song catalogue, but his repertoire also encompasses opera and concert works from the Renaissance through to the present day. He has been fortunate enough to have performed works written specifically for him by composers including Kit Armstrong,[20] Marian Ingoldsby,[21] György Kurtág,[22] Nico Muhly, Susan Oswell[23] and Matthias Pintscher.[24] For the Konzerthaus Dortmund he participated over months in intensive working sessions with György Kurtág on his Hölderlin Gesänge, which were then performed in a special lecture recital in Dortmund in February 2020.[25] Kurtág, who according to Appl "took on a little bit the role of Fischer-Dieskau" and in 2024 the baritone recorded works by Kurtág with the composer playing some Schubert songs on the piano.[4]

Teaching

[edit]
Appl giving a masterclass in Basel in May 2019

Since September 2016 Benjamin Appl has taught at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London as a professor of German song.[26] He has given masterclasses in Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the U.S. and Vietnam.

Recordings

[edit]

Other projects

[edit]

In autumn 2019 Benjamin Appl presented his own programme on BBC Radio 3 called A Singer's World, in which he gave insight into the life of a classical singer in the 21st century.[36] In spring 2020 Appl was involved in a new movie project called Breaking Music, which was filmed during his visits of Buenos Aires and Berlin to discover tango, its history and similarities with as well as differences to Lieder.[37]

In 2022, Appl, accompanied by James Baillieu, appeared in the BBC film Winter Journey, featuring Schubert’s Winterreise, filmed in a tower on the summit of the Julierpass in Switzerland.[38][39]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Benjamin Appl

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Benjamin Appl (born 26 June 1982) is a German-British lyric renowned for his masterful interpretations of German lieder and , performing worldwide in prestigious halls and houses. Born in , , Appl received his initial musical training as a chorister with the Regensburger Domspatzen before working in banking and . He later pursued formal vocal studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in , where he was mentored by the legendary Dietrich , becoming his final private pupil from 2009 until Fischer-Dieskau's death in 2012. Appl's career gained momentum through early accolades, including designation as a BBC New Generation Artist (2014–2016), Wigmore Hall Emerging Artist, and ECHO Klassik Rising Star (2015–2016), culminating in the Gramophone Award for Young Artist of the Year in 2016. He signed with Sony Classical in 2016, releasing acclaimed albums such as Heimat (2017), which earned a Gramophone Award nomination and the Prix Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, before joining Alpha Classics; notable recent recordings include Winterreise (2021), The Christmas Album (2024), Lines of Life: Schubert & Kurtág (2025), and For Dieter: The Past and the Future (2025), a tribute to his mentor. His repertoire encompasses operatic roles like Papageno in Die Zauberflöte and Harlequin in Ariadne auf Naxos, alongside collaborations with ensembles such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and recitals at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Edinburgh International Festival. In 2024–2025, Appl serves as Artist in Residence with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and as Professor of German Song at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Early life and education

Early years

Benjamin Appl was born on June 26, 1982, in , , where he grew up in a musically inclined family that fostered his early interest in music. His mother, Edeltraud Appl, played the guitar and often sang with the family, particularly during Christmas celebrations, which included listening to Johann Sebastian Bach's as a cherished tradition. Although none of his relatives were professional musicians, the household emphasized communal singing, and Appl shared these formative experiences with his two older brothers. After leaving the choir around age 18, Appl worked in banking and studied before deciding to pursue music professionally. In 2019, Appl acquired British citizenship, becoming a German-British . At the age of nine, Appl joined the renowned Regensburger Domspatzen, one of the world's oldest boys' choirs, based at , marking the beginning of his structured vocal development. He remained a chorister there until he was 18 or 19, during his high school years, performing a rigorous schedule that included multiple services—three on and two on . A particularly impactful annual tradition was the choir's tour to sing mass at Regensburg Prison on , an experience Appl later described as profoundly humbling and shaping his appreciation for music's communal and emotional power. His brothers also participated in the choir, further embedding these performances into family life. Prior to more intensive training, Appl engaged in non-professional musical activities, such as family sing-alongs and local events influenced by Bavarian folk traditions, which complemented the choir's classical . These early exposures, from casual home music-making to the discipline of choral performances, laid the groundwork for his vocal technique, especially as his voice transitioned from / to tenor/bass around ages 16 to 17.

Musical training

Benjamin Appl pursued his formal vocal studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München, where he trained under soprano Edith Wiens and participated in lieder classes led by pianist Helmut Deutsch. There, he honed his technique in operatic and concert repertoire, culminating in the completion of his vocal training in collaboration with the Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding. During this period, Appl also engaged in masterclasses with prominent figures such as Brigitte Fassbaender, Christian Gerhaher, and , which contributed to his early development in vocal projection and interpretive depth. In 2010, Appl relocated to for advanced training at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, initially intending a one-year program to refine his singing while improving his English; he ultimately graduated from the institution and has since remained based in the city. This further education emphasized practical performance skills and international perspectives on vocal artistry. A pivotal aspect of Appl's training was his mentorship under Dietrich , beginning in 2009 after a encounter in , where Fischer-Dieskau invited him for private lessons; this relationship lasted until the mentor's death in 2012, with Appl as his final pupil. provided intensive guidance on lieder interpretation, focusing on the integration of poetry, harmony, and emotional nuance—particularly in works like Brahms's Four Serious Songs (Op. 121), where he shared annotated scores emphasizing personal connections to themes of loss and resilience, drawn from his own life experiences. These sessions extended to every piece in Appl's emerging repertoire, reinforcing a disciplined approach to text-music unity and stage presence. Throughout his studies, Appl received key support through scholarships, including the from 2007 onward, which funded his academic pursuits, and the Foundation's "Live Music Now" program starting in 2008, enabling early performance opportunities. He also earned accolades in youth competitions, such as a prize in the Bundeswettbewerb "Jugend musiziert" in 2003 and a special award from the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation in 2002, which bolstered his foundational vocal technique and confidence.

Professional career

Lieder recitals

Benjamin Appl established himself as a leading interpreter of German Lieder through his debut recitals and breakthrough performances in the mid-2010s. As 's Emerging Artist for the 2015/16 season, he presented a series of programs that showcased his affinity for the intimate form, culminating in a live recording of Schubert Lieder with Graham Johnson for the Wigmore Hall Live label. This exposure marked a pivotal moment, earning acclaim for his nuanced phrasing and emotional depth in works by Schubert and , and paving the way for international engagements. A highlight of Appl's Lieder repertoire is his interpretation of Schubert's , which he has performed extensively in recital and on recording. In February 2021, he released an album of the cycle with pianist James Baillieu on Alpha Classics, praised for its introspective narrative arc. The following year, Appl and Baillieu starred in a filmed version directed by John Bridcut, reimagining the amid the stark landscapes of the at Julier Pass; commissioned by the and Swiss broadcaster SRF, it premiered on in February 2022, emphasizing the work's themes of isolation through visual and sonic immersion. Appl's collaborations with accomplished pianists have been central to his recital success, particularly his long-term partnership with James Baillieu, with whom he has presented programs at prestigious venues worldwide. Notable appearances include a 2023 North American tour featuring Schumann and Schubert songs, a debut at in a Liederabend exploring visions and fantasies in 19th-century , and a 2025 recital at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall on October 28, a tribute to featuring Schubert, Brahms, , and 20th-century composers. He has also worked with pianists such as David Fray and Malcolm Martineau, including a 2016 album of Schumann Lieder and duets with mezzo-soprano . Appl's interpretive approach to Lieder has evolved to prioritize textual clarity and emotional authenticity, influenced by his studies with , whom he regards as a mentor. He prepares rigorously by analyzing alongside the score, allowing for spontaneous, communicative performances that connect intimately with audiences in recital halls. This style shines in programs of Schumann's , where he conveys the cycle's psychological intensity through subtle vocal colors. Similarly, in Mahler Lieder such as and songs by , performed in 2025 programs at Grand Théâtre de Genève and Gustav Mahler Music Weeks in , Appl emphasizes narrative flow and raw sentiment, blending vulnerability with precision to highlight the composer's emotional landscapes.

Opera roles

Benjamin Appl has established a notable presence in , particularly through his interpretations of roles in and works, where he brings a nuanced blend of vocal and theatrical . His opera career gained momentum with early portrayals such as Schaunard in Puccini's with the Munich Rundfunkorchester under Ulf Schirmer in 2009, marking an important step in his staged experience. He further expanded into contemporary repertoire with the role of Baron Tusendorf in Péter Eötvös's Tri Sestri at the in 2010, conducted by Ulf Schirmer, and subsequently at the in 2011, demonstrating his versatility in modern . A pivotal debut came in 2021 at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in , where Appl took on the role of in Richard Strauss's , directed by , earning praise for his agile, character-driven performance that highlighted the role's comedic and acrobatic demands. This house and role debut underscored his ability to infuse ensemble scenes with vivid dramatic expression while maintaining the score's intricate vocal lines. In Mozart's repertoire, Appl made his role debut as in with the Classical Opera Company at London's in 2019, conducted by Ian Page, a semi-staged production that showcased his command of the character's cynical charm and emotional depth. He revisited the role at the Mozartfest in the 2023/24 season, further refining his portrayal of the opera's intricate interpersonal dynamics. Appl's interpretation of Papageno in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte has become a signature role, reflecting his approach to character development by drawing on everyday observations to infuse the bird-catcher with relatable humanity and humor, balancing the part's folksy lyricism with poignant dramatic undertones. His first performances in the role occurred at the Opéra de Rouen in June 2022, where he brought a fresh, engaging vitality to the production's six-show run. In the 2024/25 season, he made his house debut as Papageno at the , opening on December 21, 2024, in a production that highlighted his seamless integration of vocal finesse and . Earlier, roles like Dr. Falke in Johann Strauss II's at the and Regensburg in the late 2000s added to his lighter credentials, emphasizing his skill in blending songful elegance with witty stage presence. Through these engagements, Appl contributes to the by bridging his lieder-honed sensitivity to text and emotion with the collaborative demands of , fostering characters that resonate through subtle dramatic nuance rather than overt gesture.

Concert engagements

Benjamin Appl has established himself as a prominent interpreter of repertoire, performing major roles in works by Bach and Mendelssohn. He has featured arias from Mendelssohn's , such as "Ja, es sollen wohl Berge weichen," in large-scale holiday programs, including a 2024 recording with the Regensburger Domspatzen and Munich Radio Orchestra. For Bach, Appl performed the bass arias in the , notably "Großer Herr, o starker König," on his 2024 album The Christmas Album, blending chorales with orchestral accompaniment under Florian Helgath. His affinity for Bach extends to live stagings, including Christus and arias in the with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under John Butt in March 2023, and with Les Talens Lyriques led by Christophe Rousset at the and Easter Festival in in April 2023. Appl's concert schedule features collaborations with leading orchestras, showcasing his versatility in requiems and symphonic vocal works. In February 2025, he appears as baritone soloist in Mozart's Requiem with the Oslo Philharmonic and Choir, conducted by Klaus Mäkelä at Oslo Concert Hall. Earlier, in November 2022, he performed Britten's War Requiem with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under Thomas Søndergård at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh and Glasgow City Hall. He also sang the baritone solos in Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem with the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hanover and Andrew Manze in March 2023, and in Mahler's Kindertotenlieder with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi led by Klaus Peter Flor in January 2023. A highlight of his orchestral engagements is his January 2025 conducting debut with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir in Handel's Messiah at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, where he leads the ensemble as Artist in Residence. At international festivals, Appl has delivered memorable large-scale performances, often integrating choral and orchestral elements. In , he participated in the with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Nielsen's Symphony No. 3 and the Rheingau Musik Festival with Concerto Köln; he also performed Mozart's with the Concertgebouw Orchestra under in . These festival appearances underscore his commitment to , evident in his Handel and Bach interpretations, while his expansion into contemporary repertoire includes the world premiere of Hefti's Rhapsody with the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra in September . Appl's ongoing partnership with György Kurtág has influenced his approach to modern vocal-orchestral works, though primarily through lieder settings. He has also premiered pieces by , such as songs integrated into broader concert programs.

Teaching and mentorship

Masterclasses

Benjamin Appl has established himself as a sought-after instructor, offering hands-on coaching to emerging singers on vocal technique, interpretation, and in lieder and settings. His sessions, often held at prestigious institutions and festivals worldwide, emphasize personalized guidance that fosters artistic growth and technical precision. These masterclasses typically involve live demonstrations, analysis, and interactive feedback, adapting to participants' individual strengths and challenges. In 2021, Appl led an innovative online series for the Jurmala Music Academy, working with young Latvian singers such as Ilze Grēvele-Skaraine, Viktorija Pakalniece, Daniils Kuzmins, and Sniedze Kaņepe. The sessions focused on arias like Agathe’s Prayer from Weber's , where Appl listened to complete performances before providing targeted interventions, such as exercises to refine note coloring, control, diction, and rhythmic accuracy. He assigned practical tasks, like annotating scores with emotional cues, to encourage deeper phrasing and expressive depth. Despite the virtual format, high-quality audio ensured effective remote coaching, with Appl adapting quickly to each student's needs— for instance, urging Kuzmins to convey fragility and Kaņepe to leverage her personality for authenticity. Appl's teaching extends to in-person formats across , , and beyond. In April 2024, he conducted a for the Leeds Lieder Young Artists at the Howard Assembly Room in , , guiding participants through their selected lieder repertoire and sharing insights from his own mentorship under . The two-hour session highlighted interpretive nuances, drawing on Fischer-Dieskau's emphasis on integrating musical and personal understanding to achieve emotional resonance. Similarly, at the Festival in June 2023, Appl co-coached two emerging song duos—soprano Ceferina Penny with pianist Francesca Lauri, and mezzo-soprano Lyriel Benameur with pianist Archie Bonham—on German lieder, providing inspirational feedback on phrasing and ensemble dynamics. In July 2022, he held a free for Art of Song Fellows at the Toronto Summer Music Festival, focusing on vocal and interpretive skills in a two-hour workshop. More recently, in July 2025, Appl led a lieder at the Academy in as part of the Lyrique program, emphasizing vocal technique, stagecraft, and audition preparation for academy singers. In , Appl taught at the in New York in March 2025, where he praised the students' openness and evident talent during the session. His international reach includes masterclasses in , such as a 2025 series at the Queensland Art Song Festival in , where he worked with young duos from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University alongside pianist Sholto Kynoch, covering Schubert lieder and providing faculty-level coaching. These engagements reflect Appl's growing commitment to , which he has described as psychologically rewarding and increasingly integral to his career. Appl's pedagogical philosophy, heavily influenced by his studies with Fischer-Dieskau, prioritizes individuality and self-awareness in performance. He encourages singers to identify their unique artistic voice, build a supportive network for honest feedback, and cultivate deliberate control over elements like breathing and emotional layering to avoid generic interpretations. This approach stems from Fischer-Dieskau's lessons on pursuing profound musical and life insights, which Appl passes on to promote phrasing that conveys genuine depth. The impact of Appl's masterclasses is evident in participants' feedback, with students noting enhanced technique, musicality, and confidence. For example, during the sessions, Grēvele-Skaraine appreciated Appl's warm demeanor, which created a for vulnerability, while Pakalniece valued his perceptive remote analysis that refined her over-breathing and emotional delivery. Attendees often report career boosts, such as improved audition readiness and a clearer artistic direction, underscoring Appl's role in nurturing the next generation of singers.

Educational initiatives

As a participant in the New Generation Artists scheme from 2014 to 2016, Benjamin Appl benefited from and contributed to a program designed to nurture emerging musicians through performance opportunities, recordings, and professional development, helping young talents like himself transition to international careers. Similarly, as a Wigmore Hall Emerging Artist during the 2015-2016 season, he engaged in initiatives that provided performance experience and skill-building for early-career singers and chamber musicians, fostering growth in the repertoire. Since September 2016, Appl has served as Professor of German Song at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in , where he teaches vocal interpretation and lieder repertoire to students. For the 2024–2025 season, he was with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, beginning in January 2025, involving performances, conducting debuts such as Handel's , and collaborative projects to engage audiences and young musicians. Appl has extended his educational impact through involvement in festival academies with structured training components, such as the Academy's Atelier Lyrique, where he has served as a mentor offering in vocal technique, languages, and repertoire preparation for young professional singers. In this capacity, he supports a program that blends and training to prepare participants for competitive auditions and stage work. Beyond formal schemes, Appl actively advocates for among youth, emphasizing the need to introduce early to enhance , language learning, and , as supported by educational studies. In a 2024 interview, he stated, "We have to plant music and art into the brains and hearts of young people," highlighting music's role in shaping future generations. To this end, he brings programs directly to schools, aiming to ignite curiosity and familiarity with among children.

Awards and recognition

Early accolades

Benjamin Appl's emergence as a promising lieder singer was marked by several key recognitions in the early 2010s, beginning with his selection for the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) in 2010, which provided management support and facilitated his initial international engagements in the . This affiliation helped establish his presence in London's classical music scene shortly after he relocated there for studies. In 2012, Appl received the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, a prestigious award that funded developmental projects and tours for emerging artists, enabling him to expand his recital repertoire and perform at notable European venues. That same year, he was awarded the Geoffrey Parsons Memorial Trust Award, recognizing excellence in lieder interpretation and further bolstering his focus on song cycles by composers like Schubert. Additionally, Appl won the German Schubert Prize from the Deutsche Schubert-Gesellschaft, honoring his nuanced performances of Schubert's works and drawing attention from lieder specialists across . These 2012 accolades collectively enhanced his visibility, leading to invitations for specialized song recitals and collaborations prior to broader international recognition. Appl won the audience award at the Heidelberger Frühling International Lieder Competition, a significant nod from attendees that underscored his communicative style in and paved the way for festival appearances in . Together, these early honors provided foundational momentum, securing scholarships, performance opportunities, and mentorship that solidified his trajectory in the lieder world.

Major honors

Benjamin Appl's participation in the New Generation Artist scheme from 2014 to 2016 marked a significant milestone, providing him with extensive performance opportunities across the and elevating his international profile as a leading young . The scheme's support facilitated key debuts and recordings, solidifying his reputation in lieder and . He was also a Wigmore Hall Emerging Artist during this period. In 2015-16, Appl was selected as an ECHO Rising Star by the European Concert Halls Organisation, granting him residency performances at major venues such as the Concertgebouw, Musikverein, and , which broadened his European audience and underscored his emerging artistry. This honor followed closely on his BBC tenure, amplifying his breakthrough momentum. Appl received the Award in 2016, recognizing his exceptional interpretations of German lieder and his 2016 recordings including Stunden, Tage, Ewigkeiten (Champs Hill Records) and a Live album of Schubert Lieder with Graham Johnson; the accolade highlighted his lyrical sensitivity and technical precision, positioning him among the world's most promising vocal talents. In 2017-18, he won the Prix for Best Lieder Singer at the Académie du Disque Lyrique's Orphées d'Or awards for his debut album , which explored themes of homecoming through Schumann, Brahms, and ; the prize, named after his former teacher, affirmed his mastery of the genre. More recently, in 2025, Appl was nominated for the OPUS KLASSIK Male Singer of the Year award for his Alpha Classics album Lines of Life: Schubert & Kurtág, reflecting his continued innovation in pairing classical lieder with contemporary works and his sustained impact on the scene.

Artistic contributions

Repertoire

Benjamin Appl's repertoire as a lyric centers on the German Romantic tradition, particularly in lieder, where he has established himself through performances of seminal song cycles by , , and . His interpretations of Schubert's , D. 795, have been a cornerstone, showcased in recitals such as his 2014 appearance at the Schubertiade Festival in and his 2019 American debut at the . Appl's Schumann repertoire includes the introspective , Op. 48, which he has performed in concert settings like his 2019 BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert and recorded with pianist James Baillieu. In Mahler's works, he excels in the poignant and , delivering them in orchestral arrangements, as heard in his collaborations with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano under Klaus Peter Flor and reflections on Fischer-Dieskau's influence in 2025. In opera, Appl's selections highlight Mozart's comic and lyrical roles, with signature portrayals of Papageno in Die Zauberflöte at venues including the and Opéra de Rouen Normandie in recent seasons. He has also embodied in , bringing nuanced dramatic insight to the character's emotional arc, as in productions at the . Extending into territory, Appl participated in the Bottega Donizetti program at Bergamo's Donizetti Opera Festival in 2021, performing excerpts from lesser-known works like C'erano una volta due bergamaschi, demonstrating his agility in the florid style of . Appl's concert and oratorio engagements span to contemporary genres, with frequent renditions of Johann Sebastian Bach's and , often alongside ensembles like Concerto Köln. His advocacy for new music includes world premieres of commissions: Nico Muhly's The Last Letter (2015), a five-song cycle setting historical letters for and chamber orchestra; UK premiere of David Lang's flower, forget me (2023) at ; and György Kurtág's Hölderlin-Gesänge, Op. 35a, in ongoing collaborations since 2018, culminating in the 2025 album Lines of Life. Over his career, Appl's choices have evolved from a foundational emphasis on German lieder—rooted in his training under —to broader explorations of early music like Bach and Handel oratorios, and contemporary pieces up to 2025, reflecting a commitment to stylistic versatility while prioritizing textual and emotional depth in Romantic works. This progression underscores his role in bridging historical and modern vocal traditions.

Recordings and projects

In 2016, Benjamin Appl signed an exclusive recording contract with , marking a significant milestone in his career as a lieder specialist. His debut album under the label, (2017), featured a thematic exploration of through songs by composers including Schubert, Brahms, Grieg, and Poulenc, accompanied by James Baillieu; the recording, produced at the Bayerische Rundfunk studio, was praised for its poignant and finely nuanced interpretations that blended familiar and lesser-known works. Appl's association with Sony lasted until 2021, during which he released additional recitals emphasizing his lyrical baritone in German song repertoire. In October 2021, he transitioned to Alpha Classics, a label under the Outhere Music group, for a multi-album deal focused on lieder and vocal projects. His first release with Alpha, Winterreise (2022), presented Schubert's iconic song cycle with Baillieu, capturing the work's emotional depth in a studio recording that drew acclaim for its intimate and introspective delivery. Complementing the album, a multimedia project titled Winter Journey: Schubert's Winterreise premiered on BBC Four in February 2022, directed by John Bridcut; filmed at the snow-covered Julier Pass in the Swiss Alps, it reimagined the cycle in a stark natural landscape, enhancing the themes of isolation and longing through visual storytelling. Subsequent Alpha releases continued Appl's emphasis on conceptual programming. (2023), again with Baillieu, formed a song recital around themes of temptation and prohibition, drawing from Schubert, , and others; critics noted its engaging narrative arc and the performers' confiding warmth in a warmly resonant acoustic. In 2024, The Christmas Album marked Appl's inaugural orchestral recording, reuniting him with the Regensburger Domspatzen choir from his youth, the Münchner Rundfunkorchester, and conductor Florian Helgath; the program blended Bach chorales, Mendelssohn arias, and German carols, earning praise for its varied interpretive finesse and holiday spirit. By 2025, Appl's discography expanded further with two notable releases. Lines of Life: Schubert & Kurtág (February 2025) alternated Romantic lieder by Schubert and Brahms with György Kurtág's vocal pieces, including five world premiere recordings; produced in collaboration with the composer (whom Appl met in 2019), it highlighted innovative juxtapositions and was lauded for its emotional range and a cappella brilliance. Later that year, For Dieter: The Past and the Future – Hommage à Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (May 2025) paid tribute to Appl's mentor on the baritone's centenary, featuring a selection of lieder and opera excerpts performed with Baillieu; the album thoughtfully balanced historical reverence with forward-looking interpretations, reflecting Appl's personal connection from Fischer-Dieskau's 2009 masterclass.

References

  1. https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/artists/5755--benjamin-appl
  2. https://www.jensenartists.com/artists-profiles/benjamin-appl
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/27/he-was-a-titan-of-of-the-music-world-and-my-teacher-benjamin-appl-on-dietrich-fischer-dieskau
  4. https://benjaminappl.de/downloads/BenjaminAppl_biography.pdf
  5. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/benjamin-appl-mn0003233485
  6. https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/articles/6297--interview-benjamin-appl-on-christmas-in-regensburg
  7. https://interlude.hk/benjamin-appl-artist-of-the-month/
  8. https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/articles/6266--recording-of-the-week-benjamin-appl-comes-home-for-christmas
  9. https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Appl-Benjamin.htm
  10. https://www.classical-music.uk/news/article/benjamin-appl-comes-home-for-christmas-with-festive-album
  11. https://arcana.fm/2017/09/20/interview-benjamin-appl/
  12. https://www.vantagemusic.org/magazine/an-interview-with-benjamin-appl/
  13. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/27/he-was-a-titan-of-of-the-music-world-and-my-teacher-benjamin-appl-on-dietrich-fieskau
  14. https://www.schwaebischer-oratorienchor.de/static/project/haydnrequiem.pdf
  15. https://www.classicalconnect.com/Benjamin_Appl/7462
  16. https://www.benjaminappl.de/about/
  17. https://oxfordsong.org/artist/benjamin-appl
  18. https://www.planethugill.com/2016/09/youth-and-experience-benjamin-appl-and.html
  19. https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2022/09/winter-journey
  20. https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/article/bbc-four-screens-john-bridcut-s-winterreise-film
  21. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/classical-music/do-stage-schubert-mountain/
  22. https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/classical-music/utzon-music/benjamin-appl
  23. https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2025/10/28/Benjamin-ApplBaritone-James-Baillieu-Piano-0730PM
  24. https://www.premiereloge-opera.com/artiste/2022/10/10/benjamin-appl-when-i-sing-lieder-i-have-the-feeling-i-communicate-with-every-single-person-in-the-roominterview-projects/
  25. https://www.gtg.ch/en/2024-2025-season/benjamin-appl/
  26. https://www.kulturzentrum-toblach.eu/en/cultural-program/gustav-mahler-music-weeks/program-gustav-mahler-music-weeks-1261.html
  27. https://www.opera-online.com/en/columns/xavierpujol/ariadne-auf-naxos-at-liceu-josep-pons-good-strauss
  28. https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/classical-opera-company-cosi-fan-tutte/
  29. https://www.facebook.com/benjaminapplbaritone/videos/tonight-we-open-our-zauberfl%25C3%25B6te-here-in-rouen-with-six-shows-at-op%25C3%25A9ra-de-rouen-n/1569594043438386/
  30. https://www.benjaminappl.de/
  31. https://musicwebinternational.com/2024/11/benjamin-appl-baritone-the-christmas-album-alpha-classics/
  32. https://www.gramophone.co.uk/opera-now/review/article/recording-review-benjamin-appl-the-christmas-album
  33. https://ofo.no/en/concerts/2025-02-06/mozarts-requiem
  34. https://www.liverpoolphil.com/whats-on/classical-music/messiah/9179
  35. https://www.santafechambermusic.org/project/benjamin-appl/
  36. https://bachtrack.com/interview-benjamin-appl-masterclass-riga-jurmala-academy-february-2021
  37. https://www.operanorth.co.uk/whats-on/benjamin-appl/
  38. https://www.brittenpearsarts.org/events/festival-masterclass-ii-german-lieder
  39. https://torontosummermusic.com/event/masterclass-with-benjamin-appl/
  40. https://www.verbierfestival.com/en/show/vf25-07-20-academy-appl-masterclass-lied/
  41. https://internationalartsmanager.com/a-week-with-benjamin-appl/
  42. https://www.queenslandconservatorium.com.au/queensland-art-song-festival-best-of-schubert/
  43. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0680hjj
  44. https://www.liverpoolphil.com/news/press-releases/details/royal-liverpool-philharmonic-orchestra-announces-202425-season
  45. https://www.verbierfestival.com/en/academy/atelier-lyrique/
  46. https://crosseyedpianist.com/2024/03/27/we-have-to-plant-music-and-art-into-the-brains-and-hearts-of-young-people-benjamin-appl-baritone/
  47. https://www.pphk.org/hypnotic-baritone-benjamin-appl-set-to-captivate-listeners-at-his-hong-kong-debut/
  48. https://www.sfcv.org/events/san-francisco-performances/benjamin-appl-and-james-baillieu
  49. https://www.challengerecords.com/products/14610731476913/Stunden%2C%2520Tage%2C%2520Ewigkeiten
  50. https://journalofmusic.com/listing/09-06-15/benjamin-appl-pavilion-theatre
  51. https://www.heidelberger-fruehling.de/en/wettbewerb/winners
  52. https://www.gramophone.co.uk/awards/gramophone-classical-music-awards-2016/young-artist-of-the-year
  53. https://outhere-music.com/en/news/opus-klassik-announces-its-shortlist-2025-awards
  54. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy89_p_OCkM
  55. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0005738
  56. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/arts/music/dietrich-fischer-dieskau-at-100.html
  57. https://www.lewishollandartistmanagement.com/benjamin-appl
  58. https://www.champshillrecords.co.uk/128/Benjamin-Appl
  59. https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/58557/The-Last-Letter-for-baritone-and-chamber-orchestra--Nico-Muhly/
  60. https://getthechance.wales/2023/04/30/review-benjamin-appl-simon-lepper-schuberts-die-schone-mullerin-st-martin-in-the-fields-by-james-ellis/
  61. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/13/lines-of-life-schubert-kurtag-album-review-benjamin-appl
  62. https://www.amazon.com/Heimat-Benjamin-Appl/dp/B01MY1AWL5
  63. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/mar/09/heimat-benjamin-appl-james-baillieu-cd-review-sony
  64. https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/article/benjamin-appl-signs-to-alpha-classics
  65. https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/schubert-winterreise-2
  66. https://www.gramophone.co.uk/reviews/review?slug=schubert-winterreise-benjamin-appl
  67. https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/forbidden-fruit
  68. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/22/forbidden-fruit-review-benjamin-appl-james-bailieu-erica-jeal
  69. https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/christmas-album
  70. https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/lines-life-schubert-kurtag
  71. https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/dieter-hommage-dietrich-fischer-dieskau
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.