Friederike Krum, celebrated for her vocal versatility and captivating stage presence, has agreed to become an Ambassador for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
As a frequent performer and supporter for both British and German Armed Forces, she has been invited to sing at official events attended by the-then Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
Friederike received her formal training at the Hamburg University of Music and studied privately with the renowned soprano Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Her career has been the subject of several television documentaries, and she made her solo debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018, returning for subsequent performances, including with the Royal Philharmonic and BBC Orchestras.
Friederike’s career includes performances alongside legendary artists such as Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Montserrat Caballé, Sir Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams, and Tony Bennett. With platinum-selling tenor Russell Watson, she performed at the Royal Albert Hall launching their charity duet they recorded in aid of the Chelsea Pensioner Veterans, while Her Christmas duet Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas topped the German Classical Charts.
Renowned for a repertoire spanning classical, operatic, and contemporary styles, Friederike has performed for television audiences of millions and on some of the world’s most iconic stages alongside leading orchestras.
A frequent performer for both British and German Armed Forces, Friederike was invited to perform at SSAFA’s annual Carol Concert last December at the Guards’ Chapel at Wellington Barracks. She sang Laudate Dominum by Mozart, leaving the crowd enthralled and enchanted. The relationship with SSAFA continued to develop, and recently Friederike agreed to make it official.
Her charitable work is already extensive. She performed on HMS Queen Elizabeth at His Majesty’s Wave Ball, for the Desert Rats in 2011 after their return from Afghanistan, and joined Ursula von der Leyen for a Christmas visit to Camp Marmal in Afghanistan, performing for NATO troops. 2018, she was invited to perform at the Berlin Cathedral for the Centenary Memorial Concert for the German Ministry of Defence.
In recognition of her contributions and fundraising skills, Friederike was appointed the inaugural Ambassador of the Chelsea Pensioners’ Scarlets Appeal in 2018 and first official Ambassador of the Irish Guards Charity in 2023.
She takes her ambassador roles and support for the Armed Forces very seriously and her involvement aside from attending official events goes far deeper by actively volunteering and forming a real connection with the charity she supports and the people they help.
On becoming an Ambassador for SSAFA, Friederike said:
“Joining the SSAFA family is a huge honour and joy. I look forward to actively volunteering, as it is important to me to get to know the people within the charity and those SSAFA supports. I have the utmost respect for anyone serving and putting their life on the line to protect our democracy and freedom.
“Being able to play a small part in making the lives of these brave men and women and that of their families a little easier – for example when transitioning back into civilian life or overcoming struggles – is close to my heart. That is what SSAFA stands for: family, and the promise to never battle alone.”
Jonathan Sandall, SSAFA’s Director of Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising added:
“We are both thrilled and honoured that Friederike has become an Ambassador for SSAFA. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the Armed Forces, not only of Germany, her home country, but also of the United Kingdom, demonstrate her compassion and belief in the need to support those who protect us and the freedoms we hold so dear.
“Friederike really understands SSAFA’s mission, which is to make sure no-one in the Armed Forces community ever has to battle alone, and we look forward to her working with us as we support serving personnel and veterans, and their families across the UK and overseas.”
Friederike is currently developing a new touring production, A Night at the Opera, a celebration of beloved operatic highlights, aimed at making opera more accessible to a broader audience. She is equally committed to nurturing a love for classical music in younger generations through an educational TV concept she has personally developed.
