December brings an exciting array of performances featuring Ascolta Artists across Europe, with our singers appearing in opera productions, festive concerts, and major oratorio engagements. The month begins with Canadian baritone Jonah Spungin, who continues his role in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen at Landestheater Detmold. His schedule is particularly rich, with performances in Winterthur, Switzerland on 5, 7, and 10 December, followed by appearances in Detmold on 11, 19, and 26 December. His engagement continues into 2026 with dates in Wolfsburg on 14 and 28 January, as well as further performances on 31 January; 1 and 7 February; 18 March; and 21 May.
In Denmark, bass Lars Møller joins the Copenhagen Phil for a series of performances of the much-loved Juleoratoriet, following rehearsals earlier in the month. The concerts run from 10 to 13 December and contribute to the country’s strong tradition of holiday music-making. Italian tenor Gabriele Mangione travels to Estonia to take on the challenging and iconic role of Calaf in Puccini’s Turandot at the Vanemuine Theatre, with his performance scheduled for 14 December.
The Danish National Opera presents its seasonal programme Julesang og Messingklang, featuring tenor Anders Kampmann and soprano Frederikke Kampmann on 14 December, offering audiences a festive blend of Nordic Christmas music. Later in the month, Anders Kampmann also appears with the Lille Muko choir in Jul på Dansk, performing two concerts on 20 December.
December is also a significant month for large-scale sacred music. Tenor Gerald Geerink appears with the Sønderjyllands Symfoniorkester in Handel’s Messiah, with performances on 19, 20, and 21 December. Soprano Frederikke Kampmann returns to the stage shortly thereafter, singing in Camerata’s performances of the same work on 19, 21, and 22 December. Meanwhile, bass Simon Duus joins the Randers Kammerorkester for Juleoratoriet on 20 December, adding another highlight to the season’s rich offering of classical Christmas repertoire.
With opera, oratorio, and festive concerts filling stages across the continent, December showcases the remarkable range of Ascolta Artists and their contributions to this special time of year.