Christopher Sokolowski is rapidly gaining recognition for his electrifying stage presence and commanding vocal artistry, marked by a "shimmering velvet voice" and "Wagnerian power" (Ôlyrix).
Praised for his "radiant high register" (Das Opernglas), Sokolowski's 2024/25 season features a series of significant role debuts. He will take on the title role of Lohengrin in a new production at Theater Bremen, conducted by Stefan Klingele, and portray Manolios in Martinů’s The Greek Passion at Staatsoper Hannover, directed by Barbora Horáková. He performs Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 under the direction of Vladimir Jurowski with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin at Konzerthaus Berlin.
Sokolowski made his highly acclaimed debut in the title role of Verdi’s Ernani at Theater St. Gallen with critics praising him for his musical security, precision, and magnificent, melodious high notes. His performance was further hailed as “ideal casting” by Oper! Magazin and Kronenzeitung, while Das Opernglas commended his ability to shape phrases and highlighted his distinctively individualized timbre.
Additional notable performances include his portrayal of Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), and Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) at Theater St. Gallen, as well as a powerful performance as the tenor soloist in a scenic production of Verdi’s Messa da Requiem. His growing reputation was further cemented with his debuts as Wagner and Neréo in Boito’s Mefistofele at Staatsoper Hannover, Ken in Vito Žuraj’s Blühen at Oper Frankfurt, with appearances at the Baden-Baden Festspiele and Opera National du Rhin. As a former member of the Staatsoper Stuttgart Opera Studio, Sokolowski appeared in over 100 performances showcasing his versatility across a broad range of roles.
Sokolowski's U.S. debut as the Prince in Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges at Des Moines Metro Opera under the baton of David Neely was highly praised, with Opera Today highlighting his "torrents of gleaming sound" and impressive vocal artistry.
Sokolowski has earned accolades in numerous competitions, including as a grand finalist at the Paris Opera Competition at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées and recipient of the Rohatyn Great Promise Award in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition. He was awarded the Hermann Leopoldi Musikpreis in Vienna’s International Otto Edelmann Competition and was a grand finalist in the International Cesti Competition in Innsbruck.
A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, Sokolowski studied at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and the Purchase Conservatory. He has further honed his skills at esteemed institutions such as the Tanglewood Music Center and the Foundation des Treilles Académie de la Voix, continuing to build an impressive and diverse repertoire on stages across Europe and the United States.
