Agust Olafsson (2006)

Agust Olafsson (2006), baritone, has performed the three great Schubert cycles, Die Schöne Müllerin, Winterreise and Schwanengesang, in Reykjavik this Spring, 2010. In 2009 he completed a two year contract with Iceland Opera, Reykjavik, where he performed Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress, Germont in La Traviata and Harlekin in Ariadne auf Naxos. He was re-engaged to sing the role of Belcore in L'elisir d'amore in 2009 and was awarded the Icelandic Theater Award (Griman) as Best Singer of the Year for that role. He was chosen in 2008 by the composer Sveinsson to premiere his Fourth Symphony in Reykjavik with the Icelandic Symphony, and he has made a recording called "Aldarblik," Icelandic songs of the 20th century. He was invited to sing in a concert celebrating the life of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf at Wigmore Hall, London, in 2007. He is mentioned on the blog Barihunks (http://barihunks.blogspot.com/2009/03).

"The pupil must read the words of the piece again and again till each finest shadow of meaning has been mastered. He must next recite them with perfect simplicity and self-abandonment. The accent of truth apparent in the voice when speaking naturally is the basis of expression in singing. Light and shade, accent, sentiment, all become eloquent and persuasive. The imitation of instinctive impulse must, therefore, be the object of this special preparation."

-Manuel Garcia, Hints on Singing