Veronika Haller

I grew up in St. Leonhard in Passeier, in the midst of the Italian Alps of South Tirol. In our large, loving and very musical family, each of the six children – four girls and two boys – learned at least one instrument. My primary instrument at that time was the piano. Beginning at the age of eight and continuing until my piano degree studies, I took lessons at the Merano Music School, “Albert Schweitzer.” At fourteen it was my dream to become a professional pianist. Several times I was awarded prizes in the Austrian Federal Competition “Prima la Musica” in the categories for Solo Piano and Piano Chamber Music. Beyond that, I was also an enthusiastic Children’s Chorus member and later a Church Choir singer. I even had the opportunity a few times to sing the soprano solos in smaller masses with orchestra, which were joyous moments for me!

For my introduction to opera, I must thank my eldest sister, Edith Haller. She was the first in our family to choose to pursue a music degree, studying Solo Voice and Performance at the Salzburg Mozarteum. She was also the one who later encouraged me to “at least try” to audition for entrance into a degree program for Voice, since according to her I had “the voice and the makings of a singer.” My next-eldest sister, Ulrike Haller, studied Piano Pedagogy and Voice in Vienna at the Music Conservatory, while my third-eldest sister, Alexandra Haller, also completed her studies in Violin there. Consequently, the path was already well blazed, and I decided to study music as well.

After earning my high school diploma, I began at last to study Solo Voice and Performance and Piano Pedagogy at the Salzburg Mozarteum. During the first two years of study it became clear to me that my heart beat more and more for vocal endeavors. Opera began to increasingly fascinate me as I discovered the possibilities for my voice. Ultimately, I completed my piano studies successfully with a Bachelor Degree and then committed myself fully to studying singing. As part of the Erasmus Program I spent a year, full of rich learning, at the Music Conservatory “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin. In summer 2007 I was awarded the “Richard Wagner Stipend” from the Richard Wagner Society of Berlin, which afforded me the opportunity to experience Wagner operas for the first time in the legendary Bayreuth Festspielhaus. This experience was even more special, because my sister, Edith, was engaged at that time as a soloist in Bayreuth.

Returning to the Mozarteum, I later completed my Opera and Voice Performance degree with honors, earning the Hanna Ludwig prize as I graduated. My first professional engagement followed quickly in the role of Rosaura in Albert Lortzing’s rather unknown opera, “Casanova,” at Stadttheater Klagenfurt. I was overjoyed at my success and felt I was off to an auspicious start. While pursuing a position as an ensemble member, I gave recitals with Eric Chumachenco and Dorota Dobosz, sang in concerts of contemporary music in Austria and Hungary, and performed in orchestra concerts and oratorios in Italy and Argentina. An additional engagement led me back home, where in 2012 I sang the role of Sylva Varescu in “Die Csárdásfürstin” by Emmerich Kalaman at the South Tirol Operetta Festival.

In the fall of 2013 I had my first Fest contract in my hands, for a position as a soloist in the ensemble of Stadttheater Hagen! Under the attention and well-thought advice of General Music Director, Florian Ludwig, and Intendant, Norbert Hilchenbach, I began to build my repertoire of leading roles. I am exceedingly thankful for these artistic experiences, and the change to hone my theater craft along-side my wonderful colleagues! In meantime I have built a considerable repertoire, including many dream roles, beginning with Micaela and including Desdemona, Tatyana, Marguerite in Faust, and Contessa, and then taking on roles such as Marschallin, Butterfly, Senta and Tosca.

Formative influences in singing, in masterclasses and artistic inspiration include Margreet Honig, Melanie Männl, Lilian Sukis, Gudrun Volkert, Kurt Widmer, Hilde Zadek, Wolfgang Holzmair, Wolfram Rieger (Song Interpretation), Willy Decker, Eike Gramms, Nino Sandow, Franziska Severin (Scenic Interpretation) and Wolfgang Niessner (Opera Interpretation).

Since 2013 I have studied with voice teacher Ronald La Fond, with whom I have prepared myself for many new, challenging roles. As before, I still work on many roles with my sister, Edith, from whom I receive extremely useful practical advice.
I love the feeling of musical collaboration, of many parts becoming melded as one though music. I love the power of music to touch people and to reach the hearts of mankind.

These are the reasons I wanted to become, and now am, a musician.