Ann Hallenberg

Ann Hallenberg (born 17 March 1967) is a Swedish mezzo-soprano.^[1] She has an operatic career on the stage and concert platform around Europe. She regularly appears in major opera houses and festivals: embracing roles by Rossini, Mozart, Gluck, Handel, Vivaldi, Monteverdi, and Purcell.^[2]

Hallenberg studied at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm, with Kerstin Meyer and Erik Saedén; she undertook further study in London with Joy Mammen. Early roles included Fulgenzia in Il fortunato inganno by Donizetti at the Vadstena Academy in 1995^[3] and Aristaeus in Rossi's Orfeo in Drottningholm in 1997,^[4] returning in 2001 as Cornelia in Giulio Cesare.

The mezzo-soprano was made artist in residence at Drottningholm for 2019 and 2020, and decided on the repertoire; in the first year it was Ariodante conducted by Ian Page.^[5] In 2021 she was appointed as Hovsångerska by the King of Sweden.^[6]

Recordings

Carnevale 1729. Ann Hallenberg, Stefano Montanari, Il Pomo d'Oro. PENTATONE PTC 5186678 (2017).
Recital – Arias for Marietta Marcolini, Rossini's first muse, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Biondi
Brahms Alto Rhapsody. Philippe Herreweghe, Phi.
Franz Waxman, Joshua. James Sedares, DG.^[7]
Haydn Il ritorno di Tobia, Andreas Spering, Naxos.
Vivaldi Il Farnace, Diego Fasolis, Virgin Classics.
Vivaldi Orlando furioso, Christophe Spinosi, Naive.^[8]
Handel Imeneo, Capella Augustina, Andreas Spering. cpo 2002
Handel Tolomeo, Alan Curtis, DG.^[9]

DVD

Handel Ariodante Il Complesso Barocco, Alan Curtis
Handel Serse

References

^ Opera – Volume 54 Page 555 2003 "The Swedish mezzo Ann Hallenberg was a rather severe, Ibsen-esque Charlotte, concentrating on plummy fullness of tone at the expense of words. At least she was allowed to sing the 'Air des Lettres' (brilliantly conducted by Fournillier) ..."
^ "Ann Hallenberg". Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
^ Rodney Milnes. Sweden: Done to death – report from Vadstena. Opera, November 1995, Vol 46, No.11, p1332-33.
^ Max Loppert. Drottningholm – Back to basics. Opera, 1997 Annual Festival Issue, p125-126.
^ Sandra Bowdler. Report from Sweden. Opera, November 2019, Vol.70 No.11, p1429-30.
^ "King of Sweden appoints Ann Hallenberg". www.teatrosancassiano.it. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
^ BBC music magazine – Volume 15 Page 84 British Broadcasting Corporation – 2006 "... awkwardly broken up, while Maximilian Schell is oddly quiet and inward in declaiming what could be a much fierier text. Rod Gilfry is a virile tenor soloist as both Moses and Joshua, but Ann Hallenberg is outstanding in the part of the harlot ..."
^ The gramophone – Volume 82 Page 97 2004 "Philippe Jaroussky's Ruggerio is adept at both delicacy and heroism, and his 'Sol da te, mio dolce amore', conveying the enchantment as Ruggiero gazes at Alcina, is beautifully done. Ann Hallenberg is excellent as his fiancee Bradamante, ..."
^ The Penguin guide to recorded music – Page 524 Ivan March, Edward Greenfield, Robert Layton – 2008 "Tolomeo, a drama per musica, written in 1728, may not be well known but it has many fine numbers. Ann Hallenberg is warm and firm in the title-role.."