Jakob from Dresden: Soprano prodigy delights with Handel's Messiah!

Jakob from Dresden: Soprano prodigy delights with Handel's Messiah!

There is currently a lot of excitement in Dresden about a particularly talented young singer. Jakob, a 15-year-old from the Saxon state capital, has had his voice broken and can hit high notes effortlessly thanks to his unique vocal folds. This extraordinary ability has made him one of the main actors of the Dresden Kapellknaben, one of the oldest boys' choirs in Germany, see more MDR. In recent vocal research at the Dresden University of Music, Jakob discovered that his vocal folds are different from those of most boys his age. Professor Hartmut Zabel emphasizes that Jakob's vocal folds are narrower and less prone to rapid growth, which gives him certain advantages. So he can present Handel's impressive “Messiah” together with his fellow singers in the Hofkirche next Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Jakob has had an impressive career since he regularly rehearsed with the Dresden Kapellknaben. Despite his physical excess weight compared to younger singers, he integrates vocally excellently into the ensemble. Choir director Christian Bonath admires Jakob’s talent and describes it as “island talent”. The talented singer also sees it as an advantage that he can continue to sing the melodies he is used to without having to learn them again.

An important contribution to music history

But Jakob's commitment is not the only highlight of the choir. The Dresden Kapellknaben are currently working on a new CD that will interpret the works of the composer Johann Adolph Hasse. Under the direction of Christian Bonath, who was appointed cathedral music director in 2022, an exciting compilation is being created, which is being recorded in this form for the first time Diocese of Dresden-Meißen reported. While Hasse worked as court music director in Dresden in the 18th century, women were not allowed to sing in churches, which is why the soprano solos are now taken over by the band boys.

The CD will feature premiere recordings of pieces such as “Litaniae Lauretanae”, “Salve Regina” and “Sub tuum praesidium”. The recording is based on the historical cast, i.e. a small cast with sopranos and alto voices. The special thing is that these alternatives to historical performance practice were probably performed in the court church of the time, according to music circles. The recording is financed by the Concerto Vocale Foundation from Tennessee, which specializes in historical music performances.

History meets modern practices

Historical performance practice has gained in importance in recent years. Music lovers and researchers discuss the use of original or reproduced instruments for an authentic sound palette. An example shows the special challenges associated with the performance of historical compositions. For example, the harpsichord was only “rediscovered” at the end of the 19th century, and the different playing techniques require a thorough examination of the origins of the music, which raises various stylistic and tonal differences from today's performance practice. Historical instruments such as viols and tines are often no longer playable and have to be restored or rebuilt, as was of great importance in the historical review of the time, see the information on Wikipedia.

The Dresden Kapellknaben and their collaboration with talented young singers like Jakob show how lively and dynamic the musical tradition in Saxony is. As they prepare for upcoming concerts and recordings, the commitment of the young talents remains crucial to the preservation and further development of the cultural landscape in our region.