Shirin Asgari

The Persian coloratura soprano Shirin Asgari (Albler) discovered her passion for art and music at a young age. Her artistic education began with violin lessons, dance, and choreography before she dedicated herself to singing.

She received her initial vocal training from KS. Rohangiz Yachmi in Vienna. She then pursued a degree in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna under Prof. Adelheid Hornich, graduating with honors in 2004. She continued her master’s studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz with KS. Joanna Borowska, completing them in 2008, also with distinction. Her education was further enriched by masterclasses with renowned artists such as Paul Esswood, Gabriele Lechner, and Thomas Tomaschke. In 2006, she was awarded a scholarship from the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz.

Shirin Asgari’s impressive repertoire and musical versatility have led her to concert and opera performances in Austria, Germany, England, France, Japan, Canada, and the USA. She has interpreted numerous roles, including:

• Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte)

• Olympia (The Tales of Hoffmann)

• Adele (Die Fledermaus)

• Tonina (Prima la Musica)

• Blondchen and Konstanze (Die Entführung aus dem Serail)

• Zerbinetta (Ariadne auf Naxos)

Between 2008 and 2012, she performed the role of Madame Herz in Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor under the direction of Otto Schenk.

In recent years, Shirin Asgari has increasingly focused on 20th-century music, becoming a regular guest at prestigious festivals such as „Steirischer Herbst“, „Die andere Saite“, and the „Holland Festival“ in Amsterdam. Her concert performances in secular, sacred, and contemporary music have gained her wide recognition. She has appeared as a guest soloist at the Graz Opera and between 2014 and 2018 performed internationally with the Klangforum Wien. Most recently, she captivated audiences as a soloist at the Styriarte Festival in Graz and in Carmina Burana as part of „Klassik unter Sternen“ at Schloss Kirchstetten. In summer 2023 and 2024, she was a guest soloist at open-air concerts at Musée Masséna in Nice.

Since 2008, Shirin Asgari has been a member of the soprano trio „Sedonia“, which she founded together with her sister and cousin. The trio, in collaboration with Universal Music Austria, is known for its unique reinterpretations of well-known works. In 2016, „Sedonia“released a CD featuring new renditions of famous James Bond songs and regularly appeared on ORF broadcasts such as „Licht ins Dunkel“, „Starnacht in der Wachau“, and „Heute leben“. International performances, including a TV appearance on Manoto TV in London, highlight the trio’s success.

Since autumn 2013, Shirin Asgari has been sharing her expertise as a vocal coach at the Johann-Josef-Fux Conservatory in Graz, where she passionately nurtures the next generation of young singers.