"His dark, fluid, juicy tone, ability to make the most of the text, and dramatic presence made his Belfiore as dashing as he was dastardly."
An ENO Harewood Associate Artist from 2012-2016, British baritone George von Bergen has remained a “stalwart” of the British opera scene for the last fifteen years. Seen prolifically at ENO and Opera Holland Park; von Bergen has also performed in operas throughout the UK, in tours across England, Wales and Scotland. Abroad, he has also been well-received on stages in Italy, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Abu Dhabi and Croatia.
British baritone George von Bergen’s charismatic stage presence and powerful, mellifluous lyric baritone has earned him renown in Europe over the last decade. As a Harewood artist at English National Opera, von Bergen has had numerous successes including Marcello La bohème, Sharpless, Zurga and Herald/Lord Hate-Good in The Pilgrim’s Progress. With Opera Holland Park his roles have included Renato Un ballo in maschera, Cornelius Isabeau, Steward Flight, Ford Falstaff, Belcore L’elisir d’amore, Il Conte Le nozze di Figaro, Marcello La bohème and Ostasio Francesca di Rimini. Whilst in the title role, ETO’s production of Don Giovanni won What’s On Stage’s “Best new production” and he also enjoyed success as Eugene Onegin for MWO. Other highlights include his debut at La Scala, Milan, as Ned Keene in Richard Jones’ acclaimed production of Peter Grimes, which was subsequently released on DVD. Further afield he earned success in the title role of Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet at Croatian National Theatre Zagreb and made his role debut as Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor for Danish National Opera.
Back in the UK, he has performed Demetrius A Midsummer Night’s Dream at both Garsington and Longborough festivals; Renato Un ballo in Maschera and Il Conte Le nozze di Figaro, at West Green Opera and Don Giovanni with OP. In Wexford he took the role of Beaumarchais in The Ghosts of Versaille at the award winning European premiere and toured the role of Marcello in Torre del Lago’s production of La bohème in Abu Dhabi. In 2008 von Bergen took the role of Marcello in MR films production of La bohème opposite Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon.
On the recital and concert platform, von Bergen has performed extensively in Britain and Europe. Oratorio performances include Brahms Deutsches Requiem, Mendelssohn Elijah, Bach St John Passion, Vaughan Williams Sea Symphony, Puccini Messa di Gloria and Fauré Requiem amongst others.