Benno Schachtner

Countertenor Benno Schachtner is gaining increasing attention on the international music scene and is much sought-after as a performer at festivals and with leading ensembles and conductors. He thrills audiences and colleagues alike with his spontaneity and his joy at living in the musical moment.

He studied church music at the Music University in Detmold in Gerhard Weinberger’s organ class and graduated in 2009 with a diploma. After studying singing with Heiner Eckels in Detmold from 2009 to 2010, he completed his vocal studies in 2012 at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis with Ulrich Messthaler, with whom he continues to study.

Benno Schachtner has appeared at prestigious concert halls and opera houses worldwide, including the Berlin State Opera, the Philharmonie in Paris, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Palau de la Música in Barcelona, the Opéra de Rouen Normandie and the Koerner Hall in Toronto, performing with ensembles such as the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Collegium 1704, the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra.

His debut appearances during the 2018/19 season include Carnegie Hall, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg as part of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Paris Opéra in a new production of Scarlatti’s Il primo omicidio under René Jacobs directed by Romeo Castellucci and Arcane (Teseo) at the Theater an der Wien. He is also performing on tour throughout Europe with the RIAS Chamber Choir, the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, the B’Rock Orchestra, the Thomanerchor and Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra and Collegium 1704 under Václav Luks.

Benno Schachtner has appeared on several CDs, including his recent solo album clear or cloudy featuring songs by Dowland and Purcell, winning several international awards.

Since 2016 Benno Schachtner has taught historical performance practice at the University of Music and the Performing Arts in Mannheim.