Renowned cellist and VC Artist Zlatomir Fung has released his highly anticipated debut album, Fantasies, under Signum Records. The recording features a rich compilation of opera fantasies and transcriptions for cello and piano, created in collaboration with pianist Richard Fu.
The album showcases Fung’s artistic range and interpretive depth through a collection of works that explore beloved operatic themes. Highlights include Leoš Janáček’s Fantasy on Jenůfa—an arrangement by Fung himself—as well as Adrien-François Servais’s Fantaisie et Variations on motifs from Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment, Op.16, François George-Hainl’s Fantaisie on themes from Rossini’s Guillaume Tell, Op.8, August Wilhelmj’s arrangement of Richard Wagner’s Walther’s Prize Song from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and Mikhail Bukinik’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Lensky’s Aria from Eugene Onegin. The album also includes the world premiere recording of Marshall Estrin’s Fantasia Carmèn.
Fung’s deepening interest in the opera fantasy genre began during the pandemic lockdown, when he discovered its unique capacity for musical expression and freedom. “These fantasies are a grand expression of musical freedom: the freedom to play, to wander, to risk, and to evolve,” Fung shared.
In developing his own opera fantasy on Janáček’s Jenůfa, Fung was drawn to the work’s emotionally intense narrative and distinct musical language. He approached the arrangement with a focus on musicality rather than storyline:
“My goal was to highlight the music I love most from Jenůfa and arrange it in a way that felt logical and true to the spirit of the opera. During the composition process, I avoided referencing the opera’s plot or libretto, instead searching for moments that I believed would be interesting in purely musical terms.”
Fung also continues his collaboration with composer Marshall Estrin, whose works he has previously premiered—including Kitaroidía for solo cello in 2019 and Cinematheque in 2024. The new piece, Fantasia Carmèn, stands as a bold reimagining of the opera fantasy genre.
“It’s more unconventional elements reimagine the notion of the fantasy itself,” said Fung, “proving that the genre’s possibilities are far from exhausted—and, indeed, may only be in their infancy.”
Zlatomir Fung’s meteoric rise began with his historic win at the 2019 International Tchaikovsky Competition, where he became the youngest cellist ever to take first prize. His recent role as Artist-in-Residence with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2023–2024 season included performances at London’s Cadogan Hall and a UK tour with the ensemble. Additional debut appearances include performances with the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lille, and the BBC Philharmonic.
In 2024, Fung also took a prestigious step in his career by joining the cello faculty at The Juilliard School, contributing to the next generation of talented young musicians.
With Fantasies, Fung offers a compelling debut that bridges operatic tradition with contemporary artistry, underscoring his place among today’s most innovative classical musicians.
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