Schubert in Vienna

In 1998, Heinz Ferlesch took over the position of the artistic director of the Wiener Singakademie. As one of its longest serving directors, he has shaped the style of the choir and has helped to build up a program to support and sponsor young artists. This includes not only the development and further training of the choir members, but also the inclusion of young, gifted soloists and ensembles in the concert programs.

Ensemble Crescere is CHORALSPACE’s own orchestra for choral-symphonic projects. The young ensemble made its debut at the Philharmonie Berlin in March 2022 with the Coronation Anthems under the direction of Simon Carrington. This was followed by performances at Choral Celebrations 2022 under the direction of Elena Sharkova, at the CHORALSPACE Summer Festival under the direction of Simon Halsey and at Choral Celebrations 2023 under the direction of Heinz Ferlesch.

The ensemble is led by Donka Miteva.

Donka Miteva is Artistic Director and Conductor of Collegium Musicum Berlin where she works with the four classical ensembles at the Free and Technical Universities Berlin. She is the winner for numerous awards with her Collegium Musicum Berlin Chamber Choir and Symphony Orchestra at prestigious competitions in Germany and over the world. She works with numerous ensembles in Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Portugal, South Africa, Panama, China a.o. and teaches Conducting since 2019 at the University of Arts in Berlin.

The Vienna-born soprano completed her vocal studies at the “Konservatorium Wien Privatuniversität” (MUK). Since her debut in 2007, she has performed at renowned venues such as Wiener Volksoper, Theater an der Wien, Neue Oper Wien, Landestheater Linz, Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich, and Luzerner Theater. Her repertoire includes roles like Pamina and First Lady (The Magic Flute), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), and Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel). As a concert soloist, she has performed in prestigious halls such as the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, and Tokyo Opera City Hall. Since 2018, she has exclusively recorded the complete song repertoire of Austrian composer Guntolf Palten for Preiser Records.

Austrian-Kosovar mezzo-soprano Flaka Goranci captivates with her versatile voice and exceptional interpretations. In 2023, she was nominated for three Opus Klassik Awards (“Singer of the Year,” “Classical Without Borders,” “Best Music Video”) for her project LA FEMME, which she produced, sang, and composed. Flaka studied voice in Tirana and Tel Aviv, excelling in roles such as Carmen, Charlotte (Werther), Dorabella (Così fan tutte), and Rosina (Il Barbiere di Siviglia). She performed at prestigious venues like Theater an der Wien and Berlin Konzerthaus and collaborated with conductors like Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Renowned for her song interpretations, she released the album Albanian Flowers. In 2025, she will debut as Flora in La Traviata in Gars.

Tenor Rainer Trost has performed at prestigious opera houses, including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Vienna State Opera, Komische Oper Berlin, Metropolitan Opera, and Salzburg Festival. He has appeared in concert at venues such as the Vienna Musikverein, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, and Amsterdam Concertgebouw, collaborating with renowned conductors like Claudio Abbado, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, and Riccardo Muti. His recordings include Mozart’s Così fan tutte and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. Recently, he portrayed Gustav von Aschenbach in Britten’s Death in Venice at the Vienna Volksoper. Additional highlights include Ferrando (Così fan tutte) in Aix-en-Provence and Paris. Alongside his performance career, Rainer Trost teaches voice at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW).

Hans-Jörg Gaugelhofer, born in Villach, Austria, trained with the Vienna Boys’ Choir and studied piano (concert performance) at the Bruckner University Linz, followed by voice studies with Prof. Gerhard Kahry. He has performed roles such as Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Belmonte (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), and Alfred (Die Fledermaus). In oratorio and early music, he is noted for Evangelist roles in Passions (e.g., Bachwoche Vienna, Barucco) and performances of masses and cantatas, including at Vienna’s Karlskirche. Recent highlights include his debut at the Vienna Konzerthaus with Schubert’s Mass in E-flat major. In 2024/25, he will perform Bach cantatas in Transylvania, baroque works in Ljubljana, and appear at Salzburg’s “Mozart Week” (L’Orfeo with L’Arpeggiata under Christina Pluhar).

Austrian baritone Günter Haumer is a versatile concert and opera singer with global engagements. He has performed under conductors like Gustavo Dudamel, Christian Thielemann, and Philippe Herreweghe at renowned venues and festivals, including the Vienna Musikverein, Bayreuth Festival, Semperoper Dresden, Salzburg Easter Festival, and Teatro Colón Bogotá. His repertoire includes roles such as Don Giovanni, Il Conte Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Giorgio Germont (La Traviata), and Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte). Known for his work in contemporary music, Haumer premiered roles in Immer noch Loge (Kampe) and Judas (Ehrenfellner). Passionate about Lied, he collaborates with Roger Vignoles and teaches voice at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.