Soprano Ah Young Hong has interpreted a vast array of repertoire, ranging from the music of Bach and Monteverdi to the songs of Poulenc and Shostakovich to the works of some of the 21st century’s most prominent composers.
Best known for her work in Michael Hersch’s monodrama, On the Threshold of Winter, The New York Times praised her as “the opera’s blazing, lone star”. Other operatic performances by Ms. Hong include the title role in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, Morgana in Handel’s Alcina, Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Fortuna and Minerva in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, and Asteria in Handel’s Tamerlano. She has also appeared with Opera Lafayette in Rebel and Francoeur’s Zélindor, roi des Sylphes at the Rose Theater in Lincoln Center and as La Musique in Charpentier’s Les Arts Florissants at the Kennedy Center. As Poppea, Ms. Hong was deemed “a triumph” whose “tonal gleam filled the hall beautifully” (The Baltimore Sun).
In high demand as a concert and chamber soloist, Ms. Hong has performed with Konzerthaus Berlin’s ensemble in residence, Ensemble unitedberlin, Netherland’s contemporary music ensemble, Ensemble Klang, Daedalus Quartet, The Phoenix Symphony, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Wiener KammerOrchester, Concert Artists of Baltimore, and Tempesta di Mare, amongst others. In 2017-2018, she will perform with pianist Mark Wait, violinist Carolyn Huebl, and cellist Felix Wang (Nashville); Ensemble Dal Niente (Chicago); Utah Opera (Salt Lake City); and ending the season at the Ojai Festival with violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja (Ojai, Berkeley, Aldeburgh-UK).
Ms. Hong recorded the American premiere of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn’ ihn, BWV 1127, for National Public Radio’s Performance Today. Other recordings include the world premiere of Rebel and Francoeur’s Zélindor, roi des Sylphes (Naxos), Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater (Peter Lee Music), and Sentirete una Canzonetta with Harmonious Blacksmith. Fall 2017, James Matthew Daniel’s production of Hersch’s On the Threshold of Winter will have its official film release. Ms. Hong will also be a featured soloist in Ensemble Klang’s recording of Michael Hersch’s Black Untitled and cortex and ankle. Winter of 2018, Ms. Hong will debut her first CD through Innova Recordings. The CD will feature Milton Babbitt’s Philomel and Michael Hersch’s a breath upwards.
Ms. Hong currently serves as faculty on the voice department at the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University.