Arno Raunig
the Opera singer, writer, producer
Sopranist, Countertenor, male-soprano
"Mit offenem Mund habe ich Arno Raunig den Odysseus singen hören. Er ist einer der seltenen Sopranisten! Zur Zeit Pleyels hat diese Rolle ein Kastrat gesungen."
Arno Raunig is the first Austrian Countertenor and Sopranist, multifaceted artist. He is one of the main figures, like Alfred George Deller in England, in popularizing the return of the countertenor voice to Renaissance and Baroque music in Austria in the 20th century.
But he went further than Deller and revived the most difficult baroque arias that can only be sung by virtuoso famous castrati such as Farinelli, Caffarelli, Senesino.
Opera is the supreme discipline of classical music.
Photo timeline, video interviews,
music videos, articles
Arno Raunig sang everywhere in the world - from America to New Zealand.
His career has continued for more than half a century: at the age of 9, he started as a soloist with the Vienna Boys' Choir and for this time he has been celebrated at the Operas of Rom, Vienna, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Dresden, Zurich, Warschau and so on.
The new opera by Norbert Zehm opens a multifaceted musical universe between literature, theatre and sound.
Kafka in Paris!
Arno Raunig appears as a special guest.
The collaboration between Zehm and Raunig is far more than an ordinary musical project. It is based on a long-standing friendship and a deep mutual admiration — the composer for the unique voice of the singer, and the singer for Zehm’s musical world. Time and again they have explored new sonic spaces together and realised extraordinary projects.
Although Arno Raunig is now officially retired, the voice of Austria’s first countertenor seems hardly to age. Its unmistakable timbre, reminiscent of the legendary castrato voices, continues to fascinate audiences and composers alike.
Precisely because Raunig performs only rarely today, his participation in this new opera is a special moment. For the audience, it offers a rare opportunity to experience this extraordinary and unique voice live once again.
CD's & Books
Mozart - Salieri
Album 1990, (with ensemble) Arno Raunig — Countertenor, Sopranist
Amadeus Ensemble Wien, Dirigent: Walter Kobera
Sopranist
Album 1993, (piano)
The Sopranist Arno Raunig
sings castrato arias.
Von Kastraten & Countertenören
Arno Raunig: Von Kastraten und Countertenören. Raunig, Austria 2008
Mozart. Castrato Arias
Album 2019
(with Sofia Symphony Orchestra)
Farinelli Arien
Album 1998, (piano)
Farinelli’s the best & most famous arias
BACK to the PAST
Castrato Arias
Album 2016, (with ensemble)
*Concilium Musicum Wien
on original instruments*
Farinelli vs Händel
Album 2018, (piano)
Limited edition
AVE MARIA 22
Album 2008, (with Organ)
Selection of 22 Ave Maria compositions