Jakub Józef Orliński: Countertenor in Karlsruhe

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The Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński 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’s released 2 critically acclaimed albums. And he’s 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’s 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’s revival in 2021. Presented and produced by Emma Kingsley for the BBC World Service Photograph of Jakub Józef Orliński (credits: Honorata Karapuda/Chi Chi Ude)