Ralf Popken (Counter-tenor)

Born: May 17, 1962 - Germany

The German counter-tenor, Ralf [Ralph] Popken, studied choral conducting, recorder and singing at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover under, among others, Emma Kirkby, René Jacobs, Jessica Cash and Max van Egmond.

Ralf Popken’s concert activity as a soloist has taken him throughout Europe and the USA. He has made radio and gramophone recordings for the Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Westdeutscher Rundfunk and Dutch and Swiss radios with numerous celebrated ensembles such as Capella Agostino Steffani, Musica Antiqua Köln, Stuttgart Chamber Choir, Kölner Kammerchor, Berlin State and Cathedral Choir and La Chapelle Royale, and in 1989 made his operatic debut in the State Opera House in Hannover.

Among the singers who have studied with him and/or attended his master-classes: Anna Padalko (Mezzo-soprano).

Sources:
Liner notes to Capriccio CD 60023-2 (Johannes-Passion, conducted by Hermann Max, 1991)
Ruud Janssen (February 2006)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (April 2001)

Ralf Popken: Short Biography | Ensembles: Wilhelmshavener Vokalensemble
Bach Discography: Recordings of Vocal Works

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Klaus Eichhorn

Alto

BWV 61

Christian Grube

Alto

[CR-147] (1993-1995?, Radio recording): BWV 147

Gustav Leonhardt

Alto

BWV 11, BWV 201, BWV 249
[L-4] (1994): BWV 213

Gerald A. Manig

Alto

BWV 232

Hermann Max

Alto

BWV 245
C.H. Graun- G.P. Telemann, J.C. Altnikol-J. Kuhnau-J.S. Bach: Passions-Pasticcio

Hermann Max

Alto

Member of Rheinische Kantorei:
C-2 (1990); BWV 127, C.H. Graun- G.P. Telemann, J.C. Altnikol-J. Kuhnau-J.S. Bach: Passions-Pasticcio

Nicholas McGegan

Alto

G.P. Telemann: Brockes Passion, TWV 5:1

Links to other Sites

Ralf Popken - Homepage / Online Musik Magzin [German]
Biographien - die Friedenauer Kammerkonzerte [German]