QUOTES FROM THE PRESS

„Regardless of the role, Karis Trass stands out with her energy and emotionality. I have always been enchanted by her musicality, way of frasing, accuracy of intonation, a will to always create something original. A great gift of nature is her physical plasticity.“ – Tiiu Levald (Teater.Muusika.Kino)

 

„Karis Trass’ ability to consistently create roles without falling into any clichés (...) is remarkable.“ – Kerri Kotta (Sirp)

 

„Karis Trass’ Mélisande was beautiful, mysterious and vulnerable.“– Ruth Alaküla (Eesti perfoliate)

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BIOGRAPHY

Karis Trass stands as one of Estonia's foremost young mezzosopranos. As a soloist of the Estonian National Opera, she has already deeply endeared herself to the Estonian audience and earned the Audience Award of 2022. Beyond her exceptional musicality and captivating voice, she is celebrated for her outstanding acting prowess and her ability to bring characters to life through physical expression.

     Prior to her singing career, Trass studied flute and performed as a member of a professional dance group.

     During her short tenure at the Estonian National Opera, she has already undertaken an impressive array of roles, including Mélisande (Debussy “Pelléas et Mélisande”), Siebel (Gounod “Faust”), Cherubino (Mozart “Le Nozze di Figaro), Stephano (Gounod “Romeo et Juliette”), L’enfant (Ravel “L’enfant et les sortilèges), Valencienne (Lehár “Die lustige Witwe”), Flora (Verdi „La Traviata“) and more.

     In her early career at the Estonian National Opera, Trass received both the Naan Põld Award and the Mati Palm Scholarship of the Estonian National Culture Foundation. Additionally, her portrayal of Mélisande earned her the prestigious Kristallkingake 2024 prize from the Estonian Theatre Union.

     Karis Trass is an active chamber musician, specializing primarily in German Lied and French Mélodie. She is partners with internationally renowned Estonian pianists Sten Lassmann and Karolina Aavik. In 2023, Trass and Lassmann performed a Liederabend at the Estonian National Concert Hall, featuring compositions by Schumann, Brahms, Ravel, and Fauré.

     Trass has also participated as a soloist in numerous concert engagements, including Bach's 'Magnificat' with the Estonian National Opera Symphony Orchestra, Dvorak's 'Stabat Mater' with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO), and Mozart's 'Vesperae solemnes de confessore' with the Choir Academy of V. Portsmuth, among others. She has also been a soloist member of Kiili Early Music Ensemble.

     In 2019, she received her BA from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, the singing class of Heli Veskus. She obtained her MA in 2022 cum laude and while studying for her degree, she also studied at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, the singing class of Prof. Anna Samuil. She has participated in the masterclasses of Chen Reiss, Dale Fundling and Kirsten Schötteldreier and studied with Kamal Khan and Prof. Janet Williams. At present she develops herself further in the singing class of Prof. Tara Venditti.