Biography

Der südkoreanische Countertenor Yongbeom Kwon gehört zu den aufstrebenden Stimmen seines Fachs, der durch sein außergewöhnlich warmes Timbre, seine technische Brillanz und eine tief empfundene musikalische Gestaltung besticht. Mit einer klanglichen Bandbreite, die von inniger Zerbrechlichkeit bis hin zu kraftvoller, strahlender Präsenz reicht, hat er sich in kürzester Zeit einen Namen auf den bedeutenden Konzertpodien und Opernbühnen Europas gemacht.

Seine fundierte Ausbildung erhielt Yongbeom Kwon an der Universität der Künste Berlin, zunächst im Bachelorstudium bei Prof. Deborah York und Prof. María José Montiel. Derzeit vertieft er seine künstlerischen Fertigkeiten im Masterstudiengang Lied/Oratorium/Konzert in der Klasse der renommierten Barockspezialistin Prof. Deborah York. Seine herausragende Begabung wurde bereits durch zahlreiche internationale Auszeichnungen gewürdigt. Ein besonderer Meilenstein war der 1. Farinelli-Wettbewerb für Countertenöre am Badischen Staatstheater Karlsruhe im Jahr 2025, bei dem er nicht nur den 3. Preis, sondern auch den begehrten Publikumspreis gewann.

Ein zentraler Pfeiler seines Repertoires ist Johann Sebastian Bach. Als regelmäßiger Solist des Bachkoor Holland unter der Leitung von Gijs Leenaars prägte er in den vergangenen Jahren zahlreiche Aufführungen der großen Vokalwerke. Besonders hervorzuheben sind seine Interpretationen der Alt-Partien in der “Matthäus-Passion” (in Zusammenarbeit mit dem B’Rock Orchestra und dem Concertgebouw Kamerorkest) sowie im “Weihnachtsoratorium”

. Diese Auftritte führten ihn an traditionsreiche Orte wie die Nieuwe Kerk in Delft, wo er unter anderem vor hochrangigem Publikum, darunter dem amtierenden sowie ehemaligen niederländischen Premierministern, sein Können unter Beweis stellte. Weitere wichtige Konzertstationen waren die Berliner Philharmonie unter Robin Ticciati (Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin) sowie das Konzerthaus Berlin, wo er in Bachs “h-Moll-Messe” unter Ralf Sochaczewsky zu hören war. Auch im Bereich des Musiktheaters setzt Yongbeom Kwon Akzente. Sein vielbeachtetes Operndebüt gab er 2024 in der Titelpartie des David in Händels Saul am Theater Koblenz. Die Fachpresse rühmte seine Darstellung als „vokalen Höhepunkt“ und hob sein erstaunliches Volumen sowie seine ausdrucksstarke Bühnenpräsenz hervor. Ein weiteres Highlight seiner jungen Karriere ist die Verpflichtung an die Wiener Staatsoper (NEST) im April 2026 für Brittens Canticles. Neben dem Barockrepertoire widmet er sich mit großer Neugier der zeitgenössischen Musik, was er unter anderem durch die Uraufführung von Enjott Schneiders ”KABBALA” eindrucksvoll dokumentierte.

Die Saison 2026 unterstreicht seine wachsende internationale Strahlkraft. Nach einem triumphalen Debüt beim Szent Gellért International Music Festival in Szeged (Ungarn), bei dem er das Publikum mit Vivaldi-Arien begeisterte, folgt im September 2026 eine Wiedereinladung für einen gesamten Konzertabend mit Pergolesis “Stabat Mater”

. Weitere Engagements führen ihn nach Oldenburg (Israel in Egypt), zum Festival La Via Musica nach Frankreich sowie erneut nach Wien und in die Niederlande.

The South Korean countertenor Yongbeom Kwon is among the most promising voices of his generation, distinguished by an exceptionally warm timbre, technical brilliance, and deeply felt musical interpretation. With a sonic range spanning from intimate fragility to powerful, radiant presence, he has rapidly established a

reputation on Europe’s major concert platforms and opera stages.

He received his foundational training at the University of the Arts (UdK) Berlin, initially completing his Bachelor’s degree under Prof. Deborah York and Prof. María José Montiel. Currently, he is refining his artistic skills in the Master’s program for Lied/Oratorio/Concert in the class of renowned Baroque specialist Prof. Deborah York. His outstanding talent has been recognized by numerous international awards. A significant milestone was the 1st Farinelli Competition for Countertenors at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe in

2025, where he won both the 3rd Prize and the prestigious Audience Award.

A central pillar of his repertoire is the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. As a regular soloist with the Bachkoor Holland under the direction of Gijs Leenaars, he has shaped numerous performances of Bach’s major vocal works. Notable highlights include his interpretations of the alto parts in the “St Matthew Passion” (collaborating with the B’Rock Orchestra and the Concertgebouw Kamerorkest) and the “Christmas Oratorio” . These performances led him to historic venues such as the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft, where he performed for high-ranking audiences, including current and former Dutch Prime ministers. Other major concert appearances include the Berliner Philharmonie under Robin Ticciati (Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin) and the Konzerthaus Berlin, where he sang in Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” under Ralf Sochaczewsky. Yongbeom Kwon is also making his mark in musical theater. He made his acclaimed opera debut in 2024 in the title role of David in Handel’s Saul at Theater Koblenz. Critics praised his performance as a “vocal highlight, ” noting his astonishing volume and expressive stage presence. Another career highlight is his engagement at the Vienna State Opera (NEST) in April 2026 for Britten’s Canticles. In addition to the Baroque repertoire, he is a curious explorer of contemporary music, exemplified by his world premiere

performance of Enjott Schneider’s “KABBALA” .

The 2026 season underscores his growing international influence. Following a triumphant debut at the Szent Gellért International Music Festival in Szeged (Hungary) with Vivaldi arias, he has been reinvited for a full concert evening of Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” in September 2026. Further engagements will take him to Oldenburg (Israel in Egypt), the Festival La Via Musica in France, and back to Vienna and the Netherlands.

한국 출신의 카운터테너 권용범은 동세대 성악가 중 가장 촉망받는 목소리 중 한 명으로, 이례적으로 따뜻한 음색과 눈부신 테크닉, 그리고 깊이 있는 음악적 해석으로 두각을 나타내고 있다. 섬세하고 은밀한 울림부터 힘 있고 찬란한 존재감에 이르기까지 폭넓은 음역을 구사하며 유럽 주요 콘서트 무대와 오페라 무대에서 빠르게 입지를 다졌다.

베를린 예술대학교(Universität der Künste Berlin, UdK)에서 Prof. Deborah York와 Prof. María José Montiel 교수를 사사하며 Bachelor를 마쳤다. 현재는 저명한 바로크 음악 전문가인 데보라 요크 교수의 지도 아래 Master Lied/Oratorio/Concert 과정에서 예술적 완성도를 높여가고 있다. 그의 탁월한 재능은 여러 국제 콩쿠르를 통해 입증되었으며, 특히 2025년 Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe에서 열린 제1회 Farinelli Competition for Countertenors에서 3위와 함께 권위 있는 관객상(Audience Award)을 동시 수상하는 성과를 거두었다.

그의 레퍼토리에서 핵심적인 축을 이루는 것은 요한 제바스티안 바흐의 음악이다. Gijs Leenaars가 이끄는 Bachkoor Holland의 정기 솔리스트로서 바흐의 주요 성악 작품 연주를 다수 이끌어왔다. 특히 B’Rock Orchestra 및 Concertgebouw Kamerorkest와 협연한 St Matthew Passion과 Christmas Oratorio의 알토 파트 해석이 두드러진다. 이 연주들을 통해 델프트의 유서 깊은 Nieuwe Kerk 등지에서 전·현직 네덜란드 총리를 포함한 주요 귀빈들 앞에서 노래했다. 또 다른 대표적인 콘서트 무대로는 Robin Ticciati 지휘의 Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin과 함께한 Berliner Philharmonie 무대, 그리고 Ralf Sochaczewsky의 지휘 아래 바흐의 Mass in B Minor를 연주한 Konzerthaus Berlin 무대 등이 있다.

음악극 분야에서도 뚜렷한 족적을 남기고 있다. 2024년 Theater Koblenz에서 헨델의 Saul 중 타이틀 롤인 David 역으로 찬사를 받으며 성공적으로 오페라 데뷔를 치렀다. 당시 평단은 그의 무대를 두고 “놀라운 성량과 표현력 있는 무대 장악력을 보여준 성악적 하이라이트”라며 호평을 아끼지 않았다. 2026년 4월에는 Vienna State Opera (NEST)에서 브리튼의 Canticles 무대에 오르며 또 하나의 이정표를 세웠다. 바로크 레퍼토리에 머무르지 않고 현대음악 탐구에도 적극적이어서, Enjott Schneider의 KABBALA를 세계 초연(World Premiere)하기도 했다.

2026 시즌은 그의 확장되는 국제적 입지를 확고히 보여준다. 헝가리 세게드에서 열린 Szent Gellért International Music Festival에서 비발디 아리아를 선보이며 성공적인 데뷔를 마친 데 이어, 2026년 9월에는 G. B. Pergolesi의 Stabat Mater 전곡 콘서트로 재초청을 받았다. Oldenburg 에서 Israel in Egypt 공연, 프랑스 Festival La Via Musica 참가를 비롯해 빈과 네덜란드 무대로의 복귀 등 다양한 국제 일정을 이어간다.