Patrick Kabongo’s story sounds like a fairy-tale. Born in Kongo nothing would have predetermined him for the field of classical music. Already as a child he loved singing so much that he joined a chorus, appearing in concerts. Following a performance of Mozart’s Requiem in Kinshasa, a Belgian diplomat approached him with the proposal to support his application for a scholarship. This way he came to Belgium acceding the Conservatoire Royal in Brussels. Patrick’s dream became true step by step.

The Congolese bass turned into a tenor in Europe. Being offered character roles, he himself could not find his way in this repertoire, still searching for the right vocal track. Some attentive and benevolent listeners foresee his future to be the light-lyric repertoire: Lindoro, Ramiro, Almaviva, Tonio…with a bold high C…a coherent attempt…and here is his ideal vocal orientation!  Jean-Christophe Spinosi did not fail when inviting him to sing Rossini under his baton (Le Comte Ory or Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra). And the Italians neither did go wrong: Patrick Kabongo is now a member of the Accademia del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino where he can elaborate his knowledge in Italian repertoire and study among others the role of Lindoro (L’Italiana in Algeri) on stage.

02.11.2015