DIRECTOR
Jacob Zualski is a freelance creative and a champion of the transformative power of opera and theatre-making.
This work encompasses a broad portfolio of projects in Edinburgh and Newcastle, including directing the musical and artistic output of;
Harlekin Studio Opera, Aria Alba - Opera for all, and Indigo.
Jacob is an experienced conductor and music facilitator, drama workshop leader, graphic and brand designer,
production designer, and philanthropist.
DraMatischer
BARITON
"Consistently Excellent"
- All Edinburgh Theatre 2017
OPERA SINGER
Jacob Zualski is a dramatic baritone trained in the German school by Dr. Nell Drew. He has performed regularly at Edinburgh Fringe since 2014 where he debuted in the role of Papageno with Aria Alba.
Since then, the voice has grown considerably to a robust instrument that freely encompasses the demands of the dramatic baritone fach. Zualski is capable of producing a full range of expression, bringing warmth to the little works of the early romantics, but equally the golden brilliance of Strauss and the steely determination of Wagner.
Zualski has performed the roles of il Conte di Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Guglielmo (Cosi fan tutte) and Don Giovanni, for which he was found 'consistently excellent' by All Edinburgh Theatre. He has sung Count Rodolpho (La Sonnambula) and covered Cecil (Maria Stuarda). In 2017 he sang Harlekin in a concert version of Ariadne auf Naxos with VoiceArc, at which time he covered Musklehrer for the same production.
On the concert platform Zualski is known for his renditions of more dramatic works, presented in preparation for future roles. These include Ha welch ein Augenblick! (Fidelio), Kogda bi zhizn domashneem krugom (Eugene Onegin), Iago's Credo (Othello), Pieta, rispetto, amore (Macbeth) O du mein holder Abendstern (Tannhäusser). This is in contrast to his sensitive delivery of the Lieder repertoire, in which he takes a special interest in the songs of Schubert, Schumann, Strauss and Mahler.
In 2022 Zualski was recruited by the Berlin Dramatic Voices Programme to sing the role of Wotan (Die Walküre) in an international film collaboration.
Zualski has collaborated with a number of notable performers and orchestras over the course of his early career, including:
His Majesties Sagbutts and Cornetts (2012) | Newcastle Sinfonietta (2013) | The English Philharmonic (2014)
Michał Gajzler (2014 -) | Ailsa Aitkenhead (2019 -) | Max McWhirter (2022 -) | Annie Ball (2019-2020)
As a community arts specialist, Jacob is dedicated to providing a safe space for people to take risks and find their own unique voice without judgement or fear. He is committed to promoting individual responses to artistic works, and to nurtutring accepting and supportive music and theatre-making collectives.
Participants in Jacob's projects experience a wholesome education, which strives for the highest levels of performance while celebrating the achievements of people at all levels of development.
