Christopher Sokolowski
“One of the most exciting young singers of his generation”
Das Opernglas, May 2025
Described by Opernglas in 2025 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).
The 2024/2025 season marked a turning point in this young American tenor’s career, he made a critically acclaimed debut as Lohengrin at Theater Bremen, praised for his authenticity and vocal ease, with his dramatic sensibilities further revealed as Manolios (The Greek Passion) at Staatsoper Hannover, in a new production by Barbora Horáková. He closed the season at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence with a standout debut as Captain Vere in the sold-out hit production, The Story of Billy Budd, Ted Huffman’s reimagining of Britten’s opera for chamber forces, conducted by Finnegan Downie Dear.
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The 2025/2026 season promises to be equally impressive as he consolidates his Wagnerian credentials with further performances of Lohengrin at the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest before a debut as Don José (Carmen) in concert performances with Gunma Symphony Orchestra. He returns to Des Moines Metro Opera to expand his repertoire as The Shephard (Krøl Roger) in the company’s premiere of Szymanowski’s opera, directed by Chas Rader-Shieber.
Sokolowski’s concert work is equally flourishing and following his debut in Beethoven, 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. He will reprise the work this season with Sinfonieorkester St Gallen under Modestas Pitrénas.
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.
Contacts
Shirley Thomson Senior Director, VOICE at HarrisonParrott | Head of CSR Szymon Cyganski Artist Coordinator/Administrator
Szymon Cyganski Artist Coordinator/Administrator
General Management
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@Christopher Sokolowski embodied an ideal Parsifal: vocally radiant, with a firm timbre, capable of that fragile innocence that slowly transforms into compassion. The tenor projected his voice effortlessly through the orchestra while maintaining a lyrical warmth and sincerity.”
“The most astonishing thing of all is the fresh-faced young American tenor Christopher Sokolowski — a hero who actually looks the part. It’s a magnificent voice, quite baritonal in timbre but still radiant up top, which will surely develop into something extraordinary. And he holds the stage in his immobility and obvious sense of human connection.”
The voice rises with real ease and a welcome clarity, carrying across the stage without any flaw, with a colouring that is almost baritonal. His radiant interpretation, both scenically and vocally, gives this Parsifal production its true saviour.”
“Sokolowski possesses all the qualities of a Wagnerian tenor: firm yet sufficiently supple, radiant and well-focused but never nasal, the voice first captivates in powerful, broad high notes.”
“Vocally, his voice combines the clarity and power needed to rise above the orchestra effortlessly. Physically, his stage presence was at once innocent and charismatic, perfectly attuned to the journey of the ‘pure fool’ in search of compassion. His evolution, from candidrawness to redemptive wisdom, was a model of dramatic intelligence.”
“A new Parsifal was born.…The evening’s great triumph was Sokolowski’s personal success, which won unanimous agreement .. vocally he impressed with expressiveness, chameleon-like sensitivity, and fidelity to the character. An artist with a strong natural interpretive instinct, and one to keep a close eye on.”
“With the character of the young, passionate, and sympathetic she herd Manolios, the young American tenor Christopher Sokolowski — following his major success as Lohengrin in Bremen — once again delivers a magnificent performance as a mission-driven representative of a community in distress. It is not only his powerful and well-grounded tenor, but also his outwardly intense acting — encompassing facets of suffering introspection — that captivates the audience from the very beginning.”
“Sokolowski lets his supple tenor grow from a lyrical lamb of innocence into a rebellious hero of justice.
“Christopher Sokolowski brings heldentenor-like emphasis to the role of Manolios. He applies it equally to the vocal
gestures of a saviour as well as to increasingly demagogic outbursts.”
“Above all, Christopher Sokolowski must be mentioned as Manolios, who convincingly portrayed the shepherd who at
first seems harmless but later descends into wild fanaticism. The American guided his powerful tenor securely through
all registers.”
“The youthful-looking Christopher Sokolowski lends Manolios an agile and supple tenor voice.”
“Sokolowski’s Lohengrin captivates with its baritonal color, skillfully manages the lyrical passages, and impresses when he lets his voice shine with metallic clarity.”
“The miracle of the evening, however, was Christopher Sokolowski as Lohengrin [ ]His voice is indescribably interesting and, above all, suited to the production: warm and baritonal, with glowing high notes, he seduced not only Elsa but also the audience.”
“Christopher Sokolowski delivers a sensational role debut as Lohengrin [… ]His performance is authentic and effortless, and vocally, Sokolowski is a true discovery.”
“Christopher Sokolowski was most convincing in the title role – not only because the handsome young American is an unbelievably agile performer, but also because he best withstood the storm that was raging on the St. Gallen stage and respected the structuring of the phrases in a meaningful way. His tenor has a highly individual timbre, a well-developed middle range and a radiant high register.”
“The young-looking Christopher Sokolowski, with his impulsive and powerful but still clarion tenor, is the ideal cast for the special interest that the production shows in Ernani. He portrays a young man traumatized by his experiences, who becomes the prey rather than the leader of the rebels.”
“Ernani is played by Christopher Sokolowski, whose powerful tenor and self-expressive, sometimes acrobatic acting make him an ideal cast.”
“Christopher Sokolowski, American tenor, shows a technical maturity well beyond his years, enabling him to master the multiple facets of his shimmering velvet voice. He also displays Wagnerian power and a stage savvy that denotes a certain experience.”




