Ruben Drole

Son of Spanish-Slovenian parents, Ruben Drole was born in 1980 in Switzerland. Already during his studies at Musikhochschule Zürich with Jane Thorner Mengedoht, he was prize winner of several singing competitions. And even before he graduated with distinction, he was admitted to the International Opera Studio Zürich, and since season 2005/06 he has been engaged as a soloist at Zürich Opera House to perform immediately major roles such as Lucio Cinna (J.C. Bach’s Lucio Silla), Simone (La Finta semplice), Haly (L’Italiana in Algeri), Papageno (Die Zauberflöte with Nikolaus Harnoncourt/ Martin Kusej , recorded on DVD for Deutsche Grammophon).

Ruben Drole also participated in a Japan tour of Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Mozart’s Requiem and Händel’s Messiah with Concentus Musicus). Further projects with Harnoncourt include a CD production for Deutsche Grammophon, Beethoven’s Christus am Ölberg (Christ on the Mount of Olives) at Musikverein Vienna and Lucerne Festival .

In the Zürich Cycle of Mozart/Da Ponte operas produced by Sven-Eric Bechtolf and Franz Welser-Möst, Ruben Drole participated as Guglielmo (Così fan tutte) and Figaro. Other roles preformed in Zürich were the title part in Paisiello’s Barbiere di Siviglia, Argante in Rinaldo under the baton of William Christie and Wurm (in Luisa Miller). In summer 2006 he was guest at the Festival of Aix-en-Provence with Haly. In the concert field, he sang e.g. in Mozart’s Coronation Mass with Concertgebouw Orchestra and Ton Koopman, in Händel’s Israel in Egypt with Concerto Cologne and Emmanuelle Haïm as well as recitals within the series of Swiss Chamber Concerts. After his guest appearance in the title role of Le nozze di Figaro and as Guglielmo with Cleveland Orchestra and Franz Welser-Möst, he has been re-invited to sing there Leporello.

Season 2010/11 at Zürich Opera House includes roles such as e.g. Leporello, Papageno and Figaro. Concerts are scheduled with Nikolaus Harnoncourt as well as with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra.

Ruben Drole is cultural prize winner of the Pro Europa Foundation and the Carl-Heinrich-Ernst-Foundation, Winterthur.