Alpha Classics has announced that German baritone Benjamin Appl will join its distinguished roster of artists.

Named Young Artist of the Year by Gramophone magazine in 2016, Appl performs internationally as a recitalist and soloist. He is currently set to release a recording of Schubert’s “Winterreise” with pianist James Baillieu in February 2022. Following this will be a recital album titled “Forbidden Fruit,” as well as a tribute to his teacher and mentor, legendary baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.

“Our encounter with Benjamin was completely natural and everything happened very quickly. He knew our family of artists and obviously felt close to it; he trusted us. I am delighted to have him join us and proud to champion his projects and his creativity, which is incredibly rich and motivating,” commented Didier Martin, artistic director of Alpha Classics and CEO of Outhere Music, in an official statement.

“I have followed Alpha Classics and their releases over many years and have been so impressed by their work with world-class artists: consistently producing interesting and unique releases which are always beautifully presented and executed,” Appl added. “I am incredibly happy to forge a long-term future recording partnership with this outstanding and innovative independent label, where artists and their work lies at the core of everything that they do. This type of collaboration and mutual understanding is hard to find and is therefore deeply appreciated by artists like me who wish to develop and present recording projects which are close to my heart.”