Described by Opernglas as “one of the most exciting young singers of his generation,” Christopher Sokolowski is rapidly ascending the operatic landscape, distinguished by his magnetic stage presence, distinctive vocal timbre, and “Wagnerian power” (Ôlyrix).  

Last season’s role debut as Parsifal in Opera Ballet Vlaanderen’s new production, conducted by Alejo Pérez, proved a pivotal moment in the growing career of this young American tenor, having already been widely praised for his authenticity and vocal ease in new productions of Lohengrin at both Theater Bremen and the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest.  Sokolowski’s dramatic sensibilities and repertoire versatility were further revealed as Manolios (The Greek Passion) in Barbora Horáková’s new production at Staatsoper Hannover, in his standout debut at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence as Captain Vere in The Story of Billy Budd, Ted Huffman’s reimagining of Britten’s opera for chamber forces conducted by Finnegan Downie Dear, and as Narraboth (Salome) at Les Arts, Valencia conducted by James Gaffigan in a staging by Damiano Michieletto.

The current season brings a series of exciting further debuts including as Lord Darnley (Mary, Queen of Scots) at San Francisco Opera, as Tambour’major (Wozzeck) at La Monnaie, as both Walther (Tannhäuser) and Froh (Das Rheingold) at Bayerische Staatsoper, and as Parsifal at Bayreuther Festspiele under Christian Thielemann.  After a debut in the role of The Shepherd (Król Roger) at Des Moines Metro Opera this summer, Christopher debuts at Komische Oper Berlin in the same role in their new production by Evgeny Titov and conducted by James Gaffigan.  

Sokolowski’s concert work is equally flourishing and following his debut in Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 with Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin under Vladimir Jurowski, he gave his first performances of Das Lied von der Erde with Bayerische Staatsoper under Finnegan Downie Dear.  Last season he reprised the Mahler with Sinfonieorkester St Gallen under Modestas Pitrénas and further expanded his repertoire with performances of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella with Orchestre national de Lyon conducted by Nicolaj Szeps-Znaider.

A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, Sokolowski trained at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and the Purchase Conservatory. He further honed his skills at prestigious institutions including the Tanglewood Music Center, Fondation des Treilles Académie de la Voix, and as a member of the Opernstudio at Staatsoper Stuttgart, and in the ensemble at Theater St Gallen.