Recital Series: Benjamin Bernheim and Carrie-Ann Matheson

OVERVIEW

Hailed by the Süddeutsche Zeitung as “the most beautiful tenor voice since Luciano Pavarotti”, French tenor Benjamin Bernheim comes to Abu Dhabi Festival 2026 for a recital with his long-standing artistic partner, Canadian pianist Carrie-Ann Matheson. From the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to the historic reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, Bernheim has lent his voice to some of the world’s most significant cultural occasions.

Inspired by their acclaimed Deutsche Grammophon album Douce France, the evening celebrates the elegance and expressive beauty of French song, from the refined mélodies of Duparc to beloved chansons by Trenet, Kosma and Brel. The programme also features operatic favourites by Tchaikovsky, Bizet, Gounod and Donizetti, alongside lyrical works by Puccini.

Taking place at the Cultural Foundation, the recital offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of the finest tenors of his generation in a setting that brings them closer to the music and the artists.

Programme

Henri Duparc (1848–1933)
L'invitation au voyage
Chanson triste
Phidylé

Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky (1840–1893)
Kuda, kuda (Eugene Onegin)

Georges Bizet (1838–1875)
La fleur que tu m'avais jetée (Carmen)
Je crois entendre encor (Les pêcheurs de perles)

Charles Gounod (1818–1893)
Ah ! lève-toi, soleil ! (Roméo et Juliette)

Intermission

Gaetano Donizetti (1797–1848)
Una furtiva lagrima (L'elisir d'amore)

Ildebrando Pizzetti (1880–1968)
I pastori

Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924)
Mentìa l'avviso
Terra e mare
Sole e amore

Charles Trenet (1913–2001)
Douce France

Joseph Kosma (1905–1969)
Les feuilles mortes

Jacques Brel (1929–1978)
Quand on n'a que l'amour

ARTISTS

Benjamin Bernheim,Tenor

French tenor Benjamin Bernheim is one of the leading lyric tenors of his generation, appearing regularly on the world’s foremost opera stages, including the Opéra national de Paris, Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Teatroalla Scala and Royal Opera House.

An exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist, Bernheim’s accolades include Opera Singer of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique in 2020 and 2024, Male Singer of the Year at the 2024International Opera Awards and the 2025 Opus Klassik. He is also a Chevalier del’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Carrie-AnnMatheson, Piano

Canadian pianist, conductor and educator Carrie-Ann Matheson is Artistic Director of the San Francisco Opera Center and the Merola Opera Program. After beginning her career on the music staff of the Metropolitan Opera, she joined Opernhaus Zürich in2014, where she also made her conducting debut.

A sought-after recital partner, Matheson has performed with some of the world’s leading singers, including Jonas Kaufmann, Piotr Beczała, Diana Damrau, Joyce DiDonato, Rolando Villazón and Thomas Hampson.

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