Swedish soprano Paulina Pfeiffer on her way to international fame

Pauline Pfeiffer is currently singing Mimi at the Royal Opera in Stockholm. On this video she is  appearing together with tenor Charles Castronuovo at the Jussi Björling gala in September 2011. 


"The beautiful singing Paulina Pfeiffer, was a great experience as Adalgisa, she has it! And in the great Swedish-Nordic singing tradition, headed by Birgit Nilsson, Elisabeth Söderström, Kirsten Flagstad and Ingrid Bjoner, Paulina Pfeiffer has this little extra which is needed. I shouldn't be surprised if she soon could be one of the great Wagner singers in the world, but hopefully not "only" Wagner, too the other many great roles in the Lyric Dramatic repertoir are all waiting for her and her beautiful voice."

Kulturkompasset, 20 januari 2010



There are few things which are as enjoyable as to see a young artist succeed. That was excactly what happened last night at the Dunker cultural centre in Helsingborg, where the Swedish soprano Paulina Pfeiffer gave a recital. 


Miss Pfeiffer, who already has won great international acclaim for her Adalgisa in 
Théâtre du Châtelet´s production of Norma, had chosen a varied programme of Swedish and international songs as well as familiar opera arias.  


Already the first songs by Peterson-Berger, Mendelssohn and Schubert clearly showed why critics have been full of praise; Miss Pfeiffer has a voice of extraordinary beauty - particularly in the middle register - which, together with her superb phrasing and stage presence are the ingredients needed for a great international career. 


Among my favourites this evening were three songs by Grieg - Med en vandlilje, I Rosentiden and En dröm and the four Strauss songs, Zueignung, Morgen, Befreit and Caecilie. 


Not surprisingly, the audience loved the opera arias, Si mi chiamano Mimi (La Bohème), Sola, perduta (Manon Lascaut) and Rusalka´s Song to the Moon, all beautifully delivered and acted.


After the two encores, Lehár´s Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiß and Puccini´s O mio babbino caro the audience gave an enthusiastic - and deserved - standing ovation. 


However, one must not forget that not even the the best singers in the world can succeed in a recital without the assistance of a good pianist (or other instrumantalist). Last night Miss Pfeiffer was fortunate to have one of the best, pianist Matti Hirvonen, as her partner. The support given by the safe hands of a seasoned professional is particularly important for young singers, still in the beginning of their career. Mr. Hirvonen also delighted the audience with two solo pieces, Impromptu, D899 by Schubert and Fantasy in b minor.op 11 by Stenhammar.