The soprano Chen Reiss
A shared interest in Jewish influences and themes in classical music brought Chen Reiss and Daniel Grossmann, the artistic director of the JCOM, together. For several years now, the JCOM and the Israeli soprano have enjoyed a close artistic partnership—reason enough to feature the soprano in our blog.
“a voice full of silvery brilliance and clarity” ( Bachtrack )
Acclaimed Israeli soprano Chen Reiss enchants audiences around the globe with her luminous voice, impeccable technique, and captivating stage presence. Whether performing in major opera houses, intimate concert halls, or recording studios, Chen Reiss consistently delivers performances full of beauty, emotion, and technical brilliance. The American magazine Opera News consequently praises her for her "immaculately crafted and seductive sound paired with superb musicianship."
Childhood and education
Chen Reiss's musical journey began in her native Israel, where she demonstrated exceptional talent from a young age. She began piano lessons at five and ballet lessons at seven. She attended an arts high school, where she also took vocal lessons. During a concert at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, she realized she wanted to be a singer. After school, she completed her military service, as is customary in Israel, as a soloist in the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra. She then studied at the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music and Dance in Jerusalem and later continued her studies in New York.
Chen Reiss as an opera singer
In 2002, she made her debut at the Bavarian State Opera under General Music Director Zubin Mehta—the launching point for her successful career as an opera singer. Reiss's voice is often described as pure and ethereal, with a crystalline clarity that allows her to convey a wide range of emotions. Her ability to embody diverse characters and bring their stories to life is one of her greatest strengths. Whether she's singing the role of Susanna in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro , Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto , or Sophie in Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier , Reiss's performances are always highly expressive and nuanced.
For many years, Chen Reiss has enjoyed close ties to the Vienna State Opera as an artist in residence. Numerous engagements have taken her to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the Teatro alla Scala, the Semperoper Dresden, and the Deutsche Oper Berlin, among others.
On the concert stage
A hallmark of Chen Reiss is her versatility. Her repertoire ranges from baroque masterpieces to contemporary works, demonstrating her ability to adapt her voice and style to different musical eras and genres. She is therefore also in great demand as a concert singer and a regular guest at major festivals, such as the BBC Proms, the Salzburg Festival, and the Lucerne Festival. Chen Reiss works with leading conductors and orchestras worldwide, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and the Vienna Philharmonic.
Chen Reiss' recording projects
Reiss's artistic output extends not only to the stage but also to the recording studio. Her discography includes several highly acclaimed recordings, such as her solo albums Liaisons , featuring arias and songs by composers such as Mozart, Schubert, and Strauss, and Le Rossignol et la Rose , a romantic arrangement with pianist Charles Spencer (both Onyx Classics). Accompanied by the Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle, she recorded the soundtrack to Tom Tykwer's film Perfume . These recordings have received critical acclaim from both critics and audiences and have further cemented her status as one of the leading artists in the classical music world.
Chen Reiss and the JCOM
A major joint recording project featuring works by Fanny Hensel and Felix Mendelssohn has shaped the collaboration between Chen Reiss and the JCOM in recent years. Conductor Daniel Grossmann has long been interested in the Mendelssohn family: from the Jewish Enlightenment figure Moses Mendelssohn in the 18th century, to the musical siblings Fanny and Felix in the 19th century, to the Mendelssohns of the 20th century, he tells stories about them in his concerts.
When Chen Reiss wanted to make the works of Fanny Hensel, the "unknown sister" of composer Felix Mendelssohn, accessible to a wider audience, the JCOM and Daniel Grossmann were the logical partners for this project: To make Fanny Hensel's songs more comparable to her brother's works, they had Fanny's piano songs orchestrated and recorded them alongside works by Felix Mendelssohn. The result was the successful CD "Fanny and Felix ," and numerous joint concert engagements with guest performances at home and abroad followed.
A new joint recording will follow in the 2024-25 season – stay tuned for the release (expected in the second half of 2025) and the upcoming JCOM concerts with Chen Reiss.
Commitment beyond the stage
Despite her international success, Chen Reiss remains deeply connected to her roots. She often speaks about the influence of her Israeli heritage on her music and her commitment to promoting classical music in her home country. Her passion for music education and outreach is evident in her involvement in various cultural and educational initiatives, with which she inspires the next generation of musicians.