László Jekl (Bass-Baritone)

Born: 1957 - Lad, Hunngary

The Hungarian bass-baritone, László Jekl, graduated in 1979 from the Pécs Franz Liszt Music College. Later, he continued his studies privately, including with Zsoltnál Bende, who was dominant pályáján. He was a member of the Hungarian Radio and Television Choir from 1980 to 2001 and toured numerous countries with them, taking part in opera productions and sometimes working as a soloist.

In January 2001, László Jekl made his debut at the Hungarian State Opera in the role of Donner in Wagner's opera Das Rheingoldt. Since then, he has also performed also in productions of other opera houses, including Debrecen’s Csokonai Színház, Budapest’s Kamaraopera, and Győri Nemzeti Színház. He has sung many masterpieces of the oratorio literature, among them works by J.S. Bach, George Frideric Handel, Haydn, Johannes Brahms, and Felix Mendelssohn. His repertoire is drawn from the romantic era with songs by Schubert, Robert Schumann, J. Brahms and Gustav Mahler as well as operatic roles from W.A. Mozart, Bellini, Verdi and Wagner. Performing contemporary works takes a siginificant role in his professional activities, includings premieres of works by Kamilló Lendvay, György Kósa, János Decsényi and Béla Faragó. His concert and opera tours abroad have taken him to England, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan.

Major roles László Jekl has recently sung: Cimarosa’s Secret Marriage (Signor Geronimo), Donizetti’s Il campanello (Don Annibale), Dvorak’s Ruszalka (Water Man), Erkel’s István király (title role), Béla Farago’s Az átváltozás (Father), W.A. Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro (Bartolo), Úrhatnám (Uberti), Puccini's Manon Lescaut (Geronte), Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman (Daland).

László Jekl has made a number of CD recordings, including: Michael Haydn’s Missa Sancta Theresiae (Hungaroton), Mosonyi’s C major Mass (Hungaroton), Lendvay’s A mennyei város (Hungaroton), Franz Liszt’s Graner Messe (Liszt Festival in 2000, Stemra), Alessandro Scarlatti’s Intermezzo (Hungaroton ), Schubert’s Winterreise (JG, Budapest).

In recognition of professional work, László Jekl received Bartók-Pásztory as well as Zoltán Vásárhelyi Award (2000).

Sources:
Hungarian State Opera Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (May 2012)
Budapest Spring Fesival Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2012)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Salamon Kamp

Bass

BWV 21 [2015], BWV 31 [2015], BWV 34 [2015], BWV 36 [2014], BWV 62 [3^rd, Video], BWV 70 [1^st], BWV 70 [2^nd], BWV 70 [3^rd, Video], BWV 140 [2^nd, TV], BWV 114 [1^st, Video, 2012], BWV 115 [Video, 2012], BWV 117 [1^st, Video, 2012], BWV 117 [2^nd, 2012], BWV 133 [2012], BWV 139 [2013]
[C15-6] (2015, Video): BWV 140, BWV 132
[C18-2] (2018, Video): BWV 127, BWV 130
[C18-3] (2018, Video): BWV 70
BWV 232 [2^nd, TV], BWV 232 [3^rd], BWV 244 [2^nd], BWV 244 [3^rd], BWV 245 [2^nd, TV, Jesus], BWV 245 [6^th, TV], BWV 245 [8^th], BWV 248/1-3 [4^th], BWV 248/4-6 [2012, TV+Audio]

István Zimániyi

Bass

V-3 (2013, Video): BWV 245 [1^st recording]

Links to other Sites

Magyar Állami Operaház: Jekl László [Hungarian]
Festivalcity Budapest - Hangversenykalauz: Jekl, László