Stefan Astakhov

Russian-born German baritone, b. 1997, Moscow; brought to Germany by family at 10. Studied singing at Hochschule für Musik Detmold (2015-2017) and Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, singing 1st major role (Figaro in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Teatr Muzyczny Operetka Wroclawska) at age 19. Member of opera class, Polish National Opera, Warsaw (2018-2019). Has taken masterclasses with José van Dam and Robert Holl, and as a scholarship fellow taken part in the Lied Academy at Heidelberg's Spring Festival with Thomas Hampson and Hartmut Höll (2019).

Prizes include: Ton und Erklärung-Competition, Leverkusen (2018: jury chair Brigitte Fassbaender); Young Talent Prize, 52nd s'Hertogenbosch Internationaal Vocalisten Concours (jury chair Dame Kiri Te Kanawa); "Junior Prize" DEBUT 2018; 2nd, "Junior Special" and 2 other special prizes at Otto Edelmann Competition, Vienna; 1st prize at Mirjam Helin Competition, Helsinki; and 2nd and Lieder prizes at the Queen Sonja Music Competition (Oslo, 2019).

Roles to date include Figaro, Bosun in Britten’s Billy Budd, Styx in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, Notary in Don Pasquale. Joined Wiener Staatsoper Opera Studio in 2020, and has been member of house ensemble since September 2022.