Crystal River Cruises has announced that soprano vocalist and German performer, Anna-Maria Kaufmann, will be the godmother of Crystal Bach.

The newly-built Rhine Class river ship embarked on her maiden voyage from Amsterdam on Sunday 13 August and will be christened by Kaufmann during her call to Rüdesheim, Germany, on 20 August.

As Crystal Bach’s godmother, Kaufmann will bless the ship during the christening ceremony and sing to guests with her performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Air”.

“It is an honour to have one of Germany’s most gifted and cherished talents christen Crystal Bach as she officially embarks on the Rhine as part of the award-winning Crystal fleet,” said Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez.

“Naturally, Anna-Maria’s remarkable career in classical music and passion for her chosen homeland are befitting for this stunning ship but, beyond that, her grace and internationally recognisable charm are representative of the elegance found aboard a Crystal river voyage.”

Crystal Bach is the first of four Crystal Rhine Class river ships to debut on the rivers of Europe, joining Crystal Mozart as part of the Crystal River Cruises fleet. Crystal Bach will sail 10- and 14-day voyages predominantly along the Rhine River between Amsterdam and Frankfurt and Amsterdam and Basel.