Geneva, June 2026 – World-renowned opera singer and Rolex Testimonee Benjamin Bernheim will take to the stage for his inaugural performance at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg on 10 June 2026, bringing together two Rolex partners at the pinnacle of the opera world. Embodying excellence in artistic endeavour, the Elbphilharmonie is a landmark of the city. Hailed for its revolutionary design by Herzog & de Meuron, its concert hall has hosted the world’s best orchestras and artists spanning a range of genres, including classical, jazz and pop. Rolex entered into a partnership with the iconic concert hall in 2022 as Principal Sponsor, while tenor sensation Bernheim has been a Rolex Testimonee since 2017 – the same year the Elbphilharmonie first opened its doors to the public.

An opera star at the height of his craft, Bernheim is one of the most compelling tenors of the contemporary opera scene. Renowned for the remarkable range and emotional resonance of his voice, he has won multiple accolades over the course of his distinguished career. In 2021 he was decorated Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.

In 2025 he was named Male Singer of the Year at the Opus Klassik Awards and, in 2024, Best Male Singer at the International Opera Awards.

Following his professional debut in 2008, the same year he joined Zurich Opera’s International Opera Studio, Bernheim’s career has been on a rapid ascent, with a string of standout runs at renowned global venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Opéra national de Paris and the Royal Ballet and Opera. Known for his versatility, he specializes in French repertoire while also performing the romantic leads of Puccini and Verdi and the dramatic characters of Tchaikovsky and Massenet.

Music is in Bernheim’s blood. Born in France and raised in Switzerland to opera singer parents, he recalls watching the opening of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro aged four. That moment ignited a passion that led him to the children’s choir of the Geneva Opera House, then on to study violin and piano, and finally to the Lausanne Conservatory. There, he trained with tutor Gary Magby. “He taught me how to think – the mental practice of singing,” says Bernheim, “The higher you go, the harder you must be on yourself to maintain that level, and to deserve to be there. You must keep practising, keep working, keep demanding more of yourself.”

Achieving such levels of success has taken not just skill and originality, but singular dedication and independence of spirit. “It has been a psychological journey for me to make singing and music my own story,” he says.

Today, Bernheim is committed to transmitting his knowledge to an emerging cohort of opera singers, leading masterclasses in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative, the BBC and other institutions. “Speaking with younger generations of singers is deeply inspiring for me. It gives me renewed energy and makes me want to do even more. As time goes on, I feel an even stronger desire to be part of a movement that helps and that can truly foster meaningful ideas,” says Bernheim.

As a Rolex Testimonee, Bernheim is part of a distinguished group of some of the most accomplished musicians, composers and conductors working today, many of whom have also performed at the Elbphilharmonie, including pianist Yuja Wang, Renaud Capuçon, Jakub Józef Orliński, Sonya Yoncheva, Hélène Grimaud, Gustavo Dudamel, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Vienna Philharmonic and sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar.

The appointment came early in his trajectory, a recognition by Rolex of his extraordinary talent. “Every prize that comes is simply recognition of the fact that I am always striving for more. I want to make Rolex proud to have me as a Testimonee, but I also want to show that the way I approach my singing and shape my career is in harmony with their values,” Bernheim explains. “It is a journey we share – Rolex accompanies me and watches me grow.”

The Elbphilharmonie is an international cultural attraction housing two concert halls and a large music education area. Renowned for its impeccable acoustics, its heart is the Grand Hall, with 2,100 seats arranged around a centrally located stage.

“Rolex and the Elbphilharmonie are united by an uncompromising commitment to excellence, precision and innovation,” says Christoph Lieben-Seutter, General and Artistic Director of the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle Hamburg. “As Principal Sponsor, Rolex is instrumental in enabling us to realize artistic visions at the highest international level. We are very grateful for this trust and commitment.”

Every live performance is an adventure – and this one will be no different. “That’s what’s magical about singing,” says Bernheim. “We prepare ourselves to strive for perfection, to strive for our best.”

ROLEX AND THE ARTS
Rolex is committed to achievement in the arts, recognizing the crucial role they play in our world. With a dedication to craftsmanship and excellence, the brand upholds, cultivates and celebrates artists and institutions, connecting people around the world.

Over five decades, Rolex has formed deep partnerships with artistic visionaries, based on their commitment to the highest standards of creativity and performance. The first was renowned soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in 1976. Since then, the company’s role has evolved to include many other Testimonees who are talented artists as well as relationships with institutions that foster outstanding artistic achievement.

Today, this ongoing endeavour has become known as the Perpetual Arts Initiative, a global framework encompassing architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theatre and visual arts. Through its expanding partnerships with talented artists and leading institutions, Rolex aims to celebrate and support those at the pinnacle of their disciplines, uphold cultural legacy and cultivate rising talents who will reach new heights in the future.