Shirin Asgari
Coloratura Soprano
Teheran-Persian-born Shirin Asgari studied singing with Rohangiz Yachmi and Adelheid Hornich at the University for Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, completing a Bacc. Art. with Distinction, in 2004.
Shirin continued her studies with Joanna Borowska at the University for Music and Performing Arts, Graz, attaining an MA, Distinction, in 2008.
During this period she also performed in master classes with Paul Esstwood in Vienna, and Gabriele Lechner, and Thomas Tomaschke in Germany. In 2006 Shirin won an AIMS Scholarship.
Shirin’s professional experience includes solo items with renowned conductors such as Erwin Ortner, Seiji Ozawa, Peter Schneider ("Theater an der Wien" in a Co-production with the Vienna State Opera), and opera productions with Nikolaus Harnoncourt, with the Vienna Philharmonics, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
Shirin has drawn particular acclaim for her performances of Magic Flute in the role Queen of the Night, recent performances including the Theater an der Wien, the Theater im Palais Graz, at "Next Liberty Graz", and at the Stadttheater Leoben.
Shirin has also appeared in the following operatic roles: Madame Herz in ‘SCHAUSPIELDIREKTOR’ in Graz and Vienna, and the recent performances directed by Otto Schenk at the Stadttheater Wels.
The role of Blondchen in ‘ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL’ in Hof in Germany. The role of Queen of Night and Zerbinetta with Orchestra St. John in England.
Other recent concert performances have included the "Festival Schloss Kirchstätten" and the "Festliche Kirchenmusik Klagenfurt".
Shirin Asgari has a broad range of prepared repertoire, including, Fauré's REQUIEM, Händel's MESSIAH, Haydn's STABAT MATER and MISSA BREVIS SANCTI, Bach's MAGNIFICAT, JAUCHZET GOTT IN ALLEN LANDEN, Mozart's REQUIEM, EXULTATE JUBILATE, Orff's CARMINA BURANA and A.L. Webber’s REQUIEM.
Shirin has also recently developed an interest in the music of the 20th century and has appeared as a Soloist at several major contemporary music festivals, such as the "Steirischer Herbst" and "Die andere Saite", performing works by Planyavsky and Lackner, and also performing solo works by ‘Lampersberg’ with the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra at the "Festwochen Gmunden", Austria.
In 2009 Shirin has continued to develop her opera career, opening the "MUMUTH", the "Musik und Musiktheater" in Graz in the role of Queen of the Night and also her career on the concert platform, both with her solo appearances and with the formation in 2006 of the group “3 Iranian Soprano’s”, with her sister Nasrin and distant cousin Nazanin.
Recent group performances have been at London’s Cadogan Hall, the Stanley Theatre and Centennial Centre, Vancouver and at the Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco.
In 2010 - 2011 she has had solo performances of “Operas and Concerts” in Austria, Germany, Canada and England. The 3 Iranian Soprano’s are now known as LE TRE ORFEI.
