Susanne Schimmack
Professor of Voice
- Biography
« A triumph... Schimmack shows herself to be absolutely up to Richard Strauss’s murderous Elektra. This is first class! » — Die Deutsche Bühne
The « Rolls Royce » of Voices - BBC
« The luxurious-sounding German singer Susanne Schimmack... dominates the performance through her noble phrasing, her intelligent role portrayal and her excellent French diction. » — Opéra
« A voice of luxury and power. » — The London Times
From the prestigious stage of the ‚Cardiff Singer of the World‘ to her distinguished faculty position at the Haute École de Musique de Genève, Susanne Schimmacks career is a masterclass in vocal evolution. Transitioning from alto to a powerhouse dramatic soprano, she has performed with the world’s leading companies, including Théatre Royal de La Monnaie, Brussels, Royal Danish Opera Copenhagen, Nationaltheater Mannheim, Frankfurt Opera, Arizona Opera, Opera Pacific, USA as well as the Budapest Spring Festival, Musikfestspiele Dresden, and more. Her artistry has taken her across the globe, collaborating with masters like Antonio Pappano and Sir Peter Hall. Likewise, Susanne has established a reputation for excellence in the intimate world of Lied and Oratorio.
With a repertoire spanning the great works of Wagner, Strauss, and Verdi, Susanne Schimmack has brought nearly 90 operatic roles to life. Signature roles include Turandot, Kundry, Carmen, Strauss’ Marschallin, Berlioz Cassandre. Her operatic journey reached a pinnacle with the portrayal of Richard Strauss’s Elektra, a performance hailed for its "darkly brooding soprano" and "bravura" execution of one of the most vocally grueling roles in the repertoire.
As Professeure de Chant at the Haute école de musique de Genève (HEM), Susanne Schimmack offers a rare pedagogical approach: Active Mentorship. Drawing from her own remarkable vocal journey, Susanne Schimmack offers students a unique technical, anatomically informed perspective on vocal training and artistic development. Remaining an active force on stage, Susanne frequently performs alongside her students in HEM productions and concerts. This immersive mentorship serves as a professional anchor, ensuring the highest standard of artistic integrity and stagecraft and creating opportunity for organic transition from studio to spotlight.
