Ilker Arcayürek

Song Prize Finalist

I was born in Istanbul, raised in Vienna and have recently become an Austrian national. In 2010 - 2013 I was a member of the International Opera Studio at Zürich Opera, where I gave my debut as Ferrando Così fan tutte on the mainstage at Zürich Opera House in 2013. Awards include third prize at the 2012 Hugo Wolf competition.

I have performed throughout Switzerland, including the title role Orlando Paladino in Tonhalle Zürich and at KKL in Lucerne and as Don Basilio Le nozze di Figaro at the Verbier Festival. I became a member of the ensemble of Stadttheater Klagenfurt in the season 2013/14, where I made my debuts as Alfred Die Fledermaus, Tamino Die Zauberflöte, Chevalier de la force Les Dialogues des Carmélites, Prince The Love for Three Oranges and Italian singer Der Rosenkavalier.

I gave my recital debut in Bonn with Schumann‘s Dichterliebe and Liederkreis Op 24 and in 2014 I sang the Beethoven Mass in C major with Franz Welser-Möst in Vienna.

In 2015/16 I will join Staatstheater Nürnberg where roles include Rodolfo La bohème and Nadir Les pêcheurs de perles.

I enjoy old opera recordings – especially of tenors, of course – and I like to cook. Also, I love football and used to play a lot.