FOUNDER &
CHAIRMAN
A company director working in financial services in Geneva's financial center, this former lyric artist created the association Helvetia Lyricato share and pass on the values of excellence and heritage of Lyric Art, for as many people as possible and without distinction.
Mr. Motisi brings to the association the fusion of his expertise in Lyric Art, his experience as a collector and his professional mastery of business management.
CO-FOUNDER &
VICE-CHAIRWOMAN
After a musical education (piano and singing), Dr. Agnes A. Nagy has performed in choirs and as a Lyric soloist on various tours throughout Europe.
Dr. Agnes A. Nagy holds a PhD in History of Ancient Religions and a Master's degree in Information Science. She is currently head curator at a heritage library.
Her experience in project management and heritage archiving is a great asset to the association.
SECRETARY
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Over 15 years' experience in organizing business trips, notably for the United Nations and recently for former FIA President Jean Todt.
A keen traveller, Mr Descombes has visited and operated in some sixty countries on five continents.
His cosmopolitan organizational skills are an asset for the association's international development.
After a 45-year career on the world's greatest stages (including Milan's Scala, the Paris Opera, London's Covent Garden, the Metropolitan of New York, and above all the Pesaro Festival), Mr. Chris Merritt has been one of the pillars of what has been called the Rossini renaissance, which began in Europe under the impetus of Mezzo-Soprano Marilyn Horne and Maestro Alberto Zedda.
The entire association expresses its gratitude and is honored by his support.
MEMBER
Samuel Ramey has left his mark on the history of opera through the breadth of his range and his multiple facets.
With the benefit of an accomplished "Bel Canto" technique, he was able to take on the original virtuosity of the works of this period, as an exceptional " bass coloratura" (Handel, Rossini, Meyerbeer, etc.), and in particular the repertoire of Filippo Galli, with sufficient vocal power, to enable him later to tackle the more dramatic roles in the works of Verdi, Puccini, Mussorgsky, for example.
The Association Helvetia Lyrica expresses its deep gratitude to him for agreeing to join our Honorary Committee.
On behalf of the Executive Committee, he is responsible for managing the association's collection and coordinating its development.
His extensive knowledge of Lyric Art (here a link to two publications), his proximity to the opera world and, above all, his experience as a collector, are invaluable assets for the association.
ARTISTIC ADVISOR
Fascinated by opera from an early age, having attended his first opera in 1977, Arnaud Kientz began his vocal studies at the age of 16, completing them with Janine Reiss. Various operatic roles and concerts have led him to perform in France and abroad. He records Ave Maria, La Marseillaise (over 4 million listens) and God save the King for the Musigram label, and was invited by the French and English media to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth of England in September 2022.
At the same time, he takes part in organizing masterclasses (Ruggero Raimondi in Marseille) and festivals (Solliès Pont piano festival, Les Coups de coeur in Chantilly, Les Inoubliables festival in Geneva), and devotes himself to teaching singing, which he has practiced with passion for some twenty years in Paris, Bordeaux, Tours, Nantes and New Delhi.