Eric Stoklossa
Artist-Faculty
Director of Voice
I am honored to step into the role of Director of Voice at Orvieto Musica, continuing a tradition of
artistic excellence, mentorship, and cultural immersion that has shaped generations of young singers in
this extraordinary corner of Umbria.
Originally from Dresden, Germany, and a Dresdner Kreuzchor alumnus, I have performed on stages
including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, and the Wiener Festwochen, with a particular focus on
oratorio — including Bach’s Passions and the first official performance of the St. John Passion in China.
Recent highlights include Korngold’s Die tote Stadt and the world premiere of The Poet’s Love(r), my
English adaptation of Schumann’s Dichterliebe.
Since 2019, I have held a professorship at Texas Tech University, where I teach applied voice, Oratorio
Literature, and German diction, and perform regularly across Texas in support of German Lied and
Bach’s music — work grounded in the same conviction I bring to Orvieto: that developing exceptional
singers means developing complete musicians and artists.
My vision for the Voice Program is one of depth over breadth: singers immersed in repertoire spanning
Baroque to contemporary music, performing in Orvieto’s historic spaces, and developing not only their
voices but their artistic identities within a close-knit international community.
I look forward to welcoming a new generation of singers to Orvieto — to experience, discover, create,
and perform in one of Italy’s most inspiring artistic settings.
Eric Stoklossa, renowned tenor from Dresden (Germany), has established himself as a prominent figure in the international opera and concert scene. With a prolific career spanning leading opera houses, prestigious music festivals, and renowned concert halls, Stoklossa has captivated audiences worldwide with his exceptional talent and versatility.
Stoklossa made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2009, portraying Aljeja in Janácek’s From the House of the Dead, directed by Patrice Chéreau and conducted by Pierre Boulez. He also debuted at La Scala in January 2009 as Janek in Janácek’s The Makropulos Case and later returned to Milan to revive Chéreau’s production of From the House of the Dead. A milestone in his career was his portrayal of Andres in Wozzeck at the Wiener Festwochen in Vienna in 2010. Stoklossa remains a sought-after guest in Dresden, Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Prague, Paris and Palermo, collaborating with esteemed conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen, and delivering solo concerts in Dresden, Budapest, Amsterdam, Prague, Brussels, and Antwerp.
In addition to his operatic achievements, Stoklossa is renowned for his oratorio performances. He has performed Bach’s St. Matthew Passion with Dennis Russel Davies in Linz, Bach’s B-Minor- Mass with Helmuth Rilling, Haydn’s Creation with Adam Fischer, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Martin Lehmann, and Dvořák’s Stabat Mater in Paris, Rouen, and at the Feldkirch Festival in Austria. His rendition of Bach’s St. John Passion with Le Concert Lorrain has taken him to prestigious venues such as the Musikverein in Vienna, the Philharmonie Luxembourg, deSingel in Antwerp, la Cité de la Musique in Paris, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
In October 2016, Stoklossa had the honor of presenting Bach’s St. John Passion in Shanghai, marking the first official performance of this masterpiece in China. His recent seasons have included notable projects such as Korngold’s Tote Stadt in Holland, a tour with Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, and several concerts featuring Peter Eötvös’s Oratorium Balbulum in Munich and Budapest, conducted by the composer himself.
Highlights of Stoklossa’s 2023/2024 season include three concerts of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Dresdner Kreuzchor at the Konzerthaus Berlin, the world premiere of Richard Flury’s song cycle Rosen in Texas, and the world premiere of a new English version of Schumann’s Dichterliebe, now titled The Poet’s Love(r), featuring additional original poems by Rebecca Nelsen, performed alongside pianist Chanda VanderHart in Vienna.
As Eric Stoklossa continues to captivate audiences with his extraordinary talent and passion, he remains a driving force in the world of opera and classical music, leaving an indelible mark on the international stage.
Since 2019, Eric Stoklossa has held a professorship at Texas Tech University, where he teaches applied voice lessons and courses in Oratorio Literature, Opera Literature, and German diction for singers. Alongside his teaching responsibilities, Stoklossa regularly performs in Texas, aiming to establish and promote German Lied and Bach’s music in the region, further demonstrating his dedication to sharing his expertise and passion with the next generation of musical talents.
Associate Professor
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas, USA
Artist-Faculty
Voice Programs
Orvieto Musica
Orvieto, Italy
Master of Music
Carl Maria von Weber Hochschule für Musik Dresden
Dresden, Germany