Andreas Reize, raised in Solothurn, belongs to the successful Swiss conductors of the younger generation. He studied organ and piano at the Music Academies of Bern and Zurich. His interest in the performance practice of old music guided him for three years at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. From 2001 to 2005 he studied orchestral direction and choral direction (with distinction) at the Music Academies of Luzern and Zurich. A postgraduate study in conducting followed from 2004 to 2006 through the University of Music and Arts in Graz with Prof. Johannes Prinz in Vienna, which he completed with distinction. Additionally, he acquired important impulses in numerous master courses with Anders Eby, Bernhard Haitink, Colin Davis and Ralf Weikert, amongst others. In 2001, Andreas Reize established the cantus firmus vokalensemble & consort. The symphonic concerts and opera productions with the orchestra on historical instruments and the choral concerts with the professional vocal ensemble have continuously received enthusiastic critiques over the years in professional and public circles alike. He directed the Luzern Chamber Choir from 2002 to 2006 and in 2004 was appointed the director of the Buchsgau Chamber Choir. 2004/2006 Assistant to Nikolaus Harnoncourt at the Zurich Opera House (Fidelio/La finta giardiniera). In 2006 he established the Baroque Operas of Waldegg castle, where he conducted the operas "Orphée et Euridice" (Ch.W. Gluck), "Le Devin du Village" (J.-J. Rous-seau) and "Les Troqueurs" (A. Dauvergne) in collaboration with director Georg Rootering during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The opera "Le Devin du Village" was released on the label cpo and received outstanding reviews in international professional journals. Guest conducting engagements at the Mannheim National Theater ("Die Zauberflöte", 2006) and the Swiss Opera Studio at the Biel/Solothurn Theater ("Die Zauberflöte", 2007). Invitations to the Innsbruck International Summer Festival for Early Music, Migros Club House concerts ("Orphée et Euridice"), Bach Weeks in Amsoldingen (b minor Mass). Associate Professor of Historical Performance Practice in 2007 at the Swiss Opera Studio ("Die Zauberflöte") and Guest Professor at the University of Music and Arts in Graz. In September 2007, Andreas Reize took over the direction of the boys choir "Singknaben der St. Ursenkathedrale Solothurn/Switzerland". Several national and international awards document his achievements: in 2004 Andreas Reize was honored with the Ferdinand Grossmann Award for Old Music in the international conducting competition in Vienna as well as a research prize from the Swiss Choir Association. In 2004 and 2005 he was also awarded the Study Prize for Conductors of the Swiss Sound Artists’ Association and the Kiefer Hablitzel Foundation. Furthermore, cantus firmus vocal ensemble & consort and its conductor Andreas Reize, with the baroque opera "Le Devin du Village", are counted amongst the winning projects of Geneva's advertised project contest for Rousseau Year 2012. cantus firmus will perform the opera in January/February 2012 at the Grand Théâtre in Geneva. Additional shows with guest performances are planned, amongst others, in Paris and Venice.
