Ethel Merhaut presents a colorful International as well as Austrian-Yiddish program, which features famous operetta-arias like the "Vilja Lied" by Franz Lehar next to popular Viennese songs such as "In einem Café in Hernals" by Leopoldi. With the composers Kurt Weill and George Gershwin, a connection to America is made and Merhaut presents works by European immigrants, who had to redefine themselves in their new home. Additionally, guests can expect songs from known musicals.
Piano: Gordon Schermer
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
Born in Vienna, Ethel Merhaut finished her Bachelors in Solo-singing at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna in 2012 and has since been studying under the supervision of Prof. Irina Gavrilovici.
In addition to her vocal studies, Ethel has a Master of Sciences degree with honors in "Theater, Movie, and Media Sciences" from the University of Vienna. The young soprano made her professional debut in the summer of 2011 with two Mozart roles, Barbarina in "Le nozze di Figaro" at the Opera of Klosterneuburg and as Zerlina in "Don Giovanni" at the Sommertraum Festival in Semmering. In the summer of 2012, she participated at the International Vocal Arts Institute's summer program in Tel Aviv, where she sang the part of Ida in Johann Strauss' "Fledermaus".
Apart from the extensive amounts of concerts she gives in Vienna, in December 2012, she performed at the Austrian Culture Forum in London, where she specialized in the works of expelled Jewish artists.