Olaf Storbeck’s experience as a conductor, his knowledge of repertoire, skills as a pianist and knowledge of the human voice makes him a coach that all singers and repetitors in Germany should know about.
His style of coaching is direct, pragmatic and at the highest musical standard while also being easy going and full of fun.
After every coaching with Olaf I come away with a new sense of clarity and understanding of the music, and a fresh feeling of inspiration.
Fiona McCleod, répétiteur at Staatstheater Mainz
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Olaf Storbeck is not only a fantastic musician but also an excellent teacher. With him I learned key skills and concepts that are essential for working professionally in opera. Thanks to my work with him, I have been successful in my career, and have achieved my goal of landing a position as a répétiteur in Germany.
Koji Ishizaka, répétiteur, Oper Wuppertal
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Olaf helps you find the relationship between character, emotion, text, staging, and music. His gestures are very easy to understand, simple, yet incredibly effective. Olaf's vast experience working in opera houses provides not only wisdom but also practical advice, which is important. He has a deep understanding of the music, as well as the psychology of singers, orchestral musicians, and how to work with stage directors. His teaching truly gave me a sense of 'the full-picture' of a music career, and I believe this kind of comprehensive training is beneficial to all young conductors.
Holly Hyun Choe, assistant conductor to Paavo Järvi (Tonhalle Zürich)
Olaf Storbeck's teaching is based on his many years' experience as an opera conductor paired with an dynamic, sympathetic style and a strong desire to help young singers and conductors advance. The lessons were hands-on, very interesting, and a lot of fun!
Corinna Niemeyer, Music Director for the Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg
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Maestro Storbeck was my favourite coach when I was working in Germany. Together we prepared a great number of roles for the Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar and other theatres, and I honour his musical insights and his ability to bring out the best in my voice.
Laurence Meikle, bassbariton
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As student at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste I completed the opera diploma program, studying with Olaf Storbeck. His elan and intensity awoke my enthusiasm for opera. With Olaf I had the first contact with the world of opera and his teaching really made me understand the question, "What is the relationship of this musical passage with your role and with the other roles - and how will you communicate this to the audience?" I'm very thankful for Olaf's warm personality, devotion to teaching, and his passion for music.
Milan Siljanov, bass, Bayerische Staatsoper Munich
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Olaf Storbeck is a conscientious and sensitive musician, who, from his extensive experience conducting in theaters as well as his university teaching, knows how to share his knowledge and communicate effectively with audiences and students alike.
Prof (i.R.) Dr. Jeanette Favaro-Reuter
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What impressed me most is that he knew how to combine clarity of gesture with meaningful effect and fine nuances of colour, while his conducting was always guided by a natural sense of musical breath and phrasing.
Prof. Johannes Schlaefli, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
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During my time as General Music Director at the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater, Olaf Storbeck presented himself as stylistic, informed, and experienced - he is a technically superior and inspiring conductor. His work with the orchestra and the singers was always marked by effectiveness and driven by the ideal of making music together.
Prof. Alexander Rumpf, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Köln
© Andreas Nickel
I highly appreciate Olaf Storbeck not only for his very accurate and precise musical work, but also that he is a totally unpretentious conductor and that he supports the singers fantastically.
Mauricio Kagel, Argentinian-German composer, 1931-2008
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Olaf Storbeck and I have had a long musical relationship. We have a deep respect for each other and a shared musical inspiration. Especially in baroque music I benefited a great deal from his vast knowledge - and it's always a great pleasure to work with him. As conductor he is an energizing leader who, because of his years of experience, feels exactly where a singer needs support or freedom.
Heike Porstein, soprano, Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar
