Jakub Jozef Orlinski: Countertenor in Karlsruhe

Published: April 21, 2020, midnight

The Polish countertenor Jakub J\xf3zef Orli\u0144ski is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after performers on opera stages and in concert halls around the world. A YouTube video of him singing Vivaldi has had more than 5 million views, his many prizes include a recent Gramophone Classical Music Award and he\u2019s released 2 critically acclaimed albums.

And he\u2019s not just known as a singer - he also has an impressive record as a breakdancer and a fashion model.

Earlier this year, Jakub was preparing to sing the title role in Handel\u2019s opera Tolomeo at the Badisches Staatstheater in the German city of Karlsruhe. Emma Kingsley joined him there to watch him in rehearsal and to hear how he goes about not just perfecting his singing voice, but also writing his own musical ornaments and cadenzas for the solos and duets that he will be performing for these performances and the production\u2019s revival in 2021.