“A voice that apparently can do anything” — contralto and improviser Bella Adamova grew up in Prague torn between, and surrounded by many cultures. She moves between different musical periods, genres and cultures with natural ease. A native of Chechnya, she grew up in Prague, studied in Germany, Switzerland and London.
In the summer of 2022, Bella Adamova won the main prize in the oratorio category of the International Vocal Competition in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. A few weeks later in the song duo category with pianist Malte Schäfer, Bella won the 2nd prize at the international competition “Franz Schubert and Modern Music” in Graz (the first prize was not awarded).
Beside her most recent accolades, Bella is the winner of the International Robert Schumann Competition in 2021, the Walter and Charlotte Hamel Prize at the Bundeswettbewerb Gesang in Berlin, the Czech Song Prize at the Emmy Destinn Awards in London, and the Martinů Prize at the International Dvořák Competition.
Bella has chosen the art song as a focal point. Her repertoire ranges from Bellini to Bernhard Lang, encompassing German Lied as well as Russian romances. She sings and improvises in duo with pianist Michael Gees (debut album Blooming, 2019, Challenge Records).
Their new long-awaited album titled ‘there is home’ with a very personal dramaturgy was released by Supraphon in August 2023.
In the 2022-23 season, next to song recitals in Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, including a Prague Spring recital, Bella performed the alto solo in Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with the Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina. Bella’s voice inspired the Austrian composer Marion von Tilzer in writing her composition based on a WWII story. Bella also participates on the recording and performances of the ‘Into Eternity’ project.
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