Biography of Shirin

Persian-born Shirin Asgari studied singing with Rohangiz Yachmi and Prof. Adelheid Hornich at the University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna (Bacc. Art. (2004 with Distinction). She continued her studies with Prof. Joanna Borowska at the University for Music and Performing Arts Graz, (Master of Arts in 2008 with Distinction). She also took master classes with AIMS stipendiaries. Paul Esstwood in Vienna, Gabriele Lechner, and Thomas Tomaschke in Germany.

Shirin Asgari has performed with renowned conductors such as Erwin Ortner, Seiji Ozawa, Peter Schneider ("Theater an der Wien", in a co-production with the Vienna State Opera), and Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Styriarte), the Vienna Philharmonics, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

She has gained prominence for her performances in the role of The 'Queen of the Night' including performances at the Theater an der Wien, the Theater im Palais Graz, "Next Liberty Graz", and at the Stadttheater Leoben.She also appeared in the following roles: Madame Herz (SCHAUSPIELDIREKTOR) in Graz and
Vienna, Blondchen (ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL) in Hof in Germany at the "Festival Mitte Europa". Other performances included the "Festival Schloss Kirchstätten" and the "Festliche Kirchenmusik Klagenfurt".

Shirin Asgari's current repertoire also includes works such as Fauré's REQUIEM, Händel's MESSIAS, Haydn's STABAT MATER and MISSA BREVIS SANCTI, Bach's MAGNIFICAT, JAUCHZET GOTT IN ALLEN LANDEN, Mozart's REQUIEM, EXULTATE JUBILATE, and Orff's CARMINA BURANA.

Her interest and ability with music of the 20th century has repeatedly led her into Solist roles at several major festivals, including the "Steirischer Herbst" and "Die andere Saite", as well as the "Festwochen Gmunden", performing works by Lampersberg, Planyavsky, and Lackner. She also
appeared in the première of the opera "DIE BEWEGUNG IN DER TIEFE DES WASSERS" by Gessler.

In November 2008, she sang the role of Madame Herz with Otto Schenk in Mozart's "SCHAUSPIELDIREKTOR" and in March 2009, she opened the "MUMUTH", the "Musik und Musiktheater" in Graz with the Queen of the Night.

In 2006, Shirin Asgari was the driving force behind the launch of the group 'The Three Iranian Soprano's, which has since toured in Canada and the United Kingdom, and later in 2009 will also tour to the USA.

2009, she will perform Madame Herz again in Austria with Otto Schenk.