Ziyan Atfeh, bass-baritone was born in Damask from a Russian-French mother and a Syrian father. He studied at Nicolai Ghiaurov and Mirella Freni’s school; after that he started studying at the Cubec in Vignola in 2003. He won important acknowledgements which allowed him to improve his vocal style and to make experiences in concerts with orchestra and in little roles. From 2004 to 2007 he won the Nicolai Ghiaurov scholarship and in 2006 he won the second prize at the international As.Li.Co. contest.
Mirella Freni chose him for the best Cubec scholars concert in Vignola in June 2005; in 2006 he took part at the concert to celebrate Zubin Mehta’s carrier award, then he was invited to Caracas as international guest singing in the concert to award José Antonio Abreu’s career with the Simon Bolivar Orchestra (February 2008).
Among his recent engagements is worth mentioning: Schmidt in Andrea Chénier at the Teatro Comunale in Bologna; Commendatore in Mozart’s Don Giovanni for the As.Li.Co.; Aida (The King of Egypt) at the Narni Festival; Carmen (Zuniga) on tour in Modena, Piacenza and Ferrara; Verdi’s Requiem at the Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy; Manon Lescaut (Geronte di Ravoir) in Modena and in Piacenza.
Future plans include: Rigoletto (Conte di Monterone) at the Teatro Regio in Turin; La traviata at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie in Liège; a lyric concert at the Emilia Romagna Festival 2010.
He lives in Italy where he keeps studying under the guidance of Mirella Freni.