opera

biography

musical director | repetiteur | accompanist

A versatile artist, Krystian Bellière enjoys a thriving career combining work as a solo pianist, accompanist, musical director and repetiteur. He made his début at the Wigmore Hall in 2004 directing Viktor Ullmann’s opera Der Kaiser von Atlantis from the keyboard, subsequently touring nationally with funding from the Arts Council. In addition he has directed performances of Le Nozze di Figaro, Così fan tutte, La Bohème, Hänsel und Gretel and Werther and worked on the music staff of the Royal Opera House and Opera North . Since training as a repetiteur at the National Opera Studio he has worked on productions for the Royal Opera House - Lohengrin, Linda di Chamounix, Die tote Stadt and Ariadne auf Naxos, English National Opera - For the Public Good, Opera North - Le Nozze di Figaro, Grange Park Opera - Rusalka and Falstaff, Classical Opera Company/Opera Theatre Company, Ireland - Apollo et Hyacinthus, Carl Rosa Opera Company - Die lustige Witwe, Bampton Classical Opera - Leonora, Le Cinesi and Romeo und Julia and for British Youth Opera - Le Nozze di Figaro. He also enjoys partnering some of the UK’s finest young singers in recitals, has run courses for Opera School Wales and Operatique, London and coaches regularly at the National Opera Studio, Morley College and on the Young Artists' Programme at the Royal Opera House.

Born in London, Krystian Bellière comes from a family of English, French and German origins. In his teens he concentrated on composition and was taught piano by Ronald Smith before being awarded an instrumental scholarship at Christ Church, Oxford where he gained a First in Music. Further study followed at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London where he majored in conducting, studying in master classes with Michael Tilson Thomas and where his piano teacher was James Gibb. Whilst there he conducted all the orchestras in public performances including of Mozart’s Thamos, König in Ägypten and was assistant conductor for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His mentor Sir Georg Solti who described him as “an exceptional talent” proved a great inspiration and encouragement. Furthering his studies as a pianist he also undertook intensive courses with Murray Perahia, Alfred Brendel and Stephen Kovacevich.

As a solo pianist Krystian Bellière has performed at the Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room (as part of the ‘Fresh’ series), St. John’s Smith Square, Cadogan Hall, St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Steinway Hall, London and has given recital and concerto performances throughout Britain, Italy, Japan, East and South Africa. He has broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and ITV television and performs regularly at the National Concert Halls of Wales and Ireland, the Fairfield Hall and at major concert venues of the UK.