“Raoul Steffani doesn’t only sing, but speaks and communicates through his audience. Diction, intelligibility, language sense and, above all, a very individual and personal sound signature characterize his performances. (…) He draws the audience towards him in a very expressive and personal way.”
- Nederlandse Muziekprijs 2023 commission​​ -

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Education

Raoul studied at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna and with Margreet Honig at the conservatories of Amsterdam and Tilburg, where he graduated summa cum laude. He took master classes with Thomas Hampson, Christa Ludwig, Dame Felicity Lott and Elly Ameling, among others. From 2016 to 2018, he was a member of the Dutch National Opera Academy. Raoul was a member of Equilibrium, Barbara Hannigan’s young artists’ programme.

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Awards and prizes

Raoul Steffani is winner of the Nederlandse Muziekprijs 2023, the highest award that can be given to a musician by the Dutch State. He received the prize from the State Secretary for Culture. He previously won the Grachtenfestival Prijs 2018, among other prizes.
 

Career highlights

• Raoul sang the role of Ramiro in Ravel’s l’Heure Espagnole at the Opéra National de Lyon

• Ned Keene in Britten’s Peter Grimes directed by Paul Carr

• Ramiro at the Opéra de Toulon

• In 2022 he made his debut at Dutch National Opera in newly created Operetta Land

• In summer 2023, he sang the role of Johann in Massenet’s Werther at the Bregenzer Festspiele

• Debut at London’s Wigmore Hall in Handel’s Chandos Anthems with ensemble Arcangelo led by Jonathan Cohen

• Recital debut at the Schubertiade Wieden in the Ehrbar-Saal in Vienna

• Recitals with pianists Severin von Eckardstein, Julius Drake, and Gerold Huber

• In May and June 2024, Raoul sang the roles of Germano and Gaudenzio in Opera Zuid’s new double bill production of Rossini’s La Scala di Seta and Il Signor Bruschino on tour in the Netherlands.

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As a soloist, he has worked with conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Benjamin Goodson, Jonathan Cohen, Antony Hermus, Vladimir Jurowsky, Sigiswald Kuijken, Lawrence Renes, Ed Spanjaard, Otto Tausk, Jos van Veldhoven, Duncan Ward, and David Zinman.​

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Since the beginning of his career, Raoul Steffani has had a great passion for the Lieder repertoire. He has given recitals at Oxford Lieder Festival, International Lied Festival Zeist, Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.

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Recordings

• Raoul has recorded two solo albums for Challenge Classics with pianist Gerold Huber: Love’s Spring (2021) featuring songs and duets by Robert and Clara Schumann with mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená.

• About his debut album Deep in a dream, featuring early works by Schumann, Grieg, Sibelius and Berg, the international press wrote: “This is all first-rate, refined singing with lucid diction, elegant technique, and a palpable affinity for what he is singing." (American Record Guide, 2018)

• In October 2022, Alpha Records released the album Sehnsucht, with Barbara Hannigan, Camerata RCO and Raoul Steffani, featuring his performance of Berg’s Vier Gesänge Op. 2 in a new orchestration.

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Highlights 2024-2025

• Beethoven 9 with Philharmonie Zuid / Duncan Ward

• Peer Gynt Grieg with Dutch Radio Philharmonic Orchestra / Stéphane denève (Zaterdagmatinee Concertgebouw Amsterdam)

• Die schöne Müllerin tour with Severin von Eckardstein

• Mahler recital with Axelle Fanyo & Julius Drake in Mahler Festival Concertgebouw Amsterdam.

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Domselaer Artist Management represents Raoul Steffani worldwide.

Artist Manager: Marco van de Klundert

E: marco@domselaer.nl

T: +316 21503480