Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Wikidata P18)
Natalie Dessay
Soprano (lyric coloratura)
Born April 19, 1965 in Lyon, France (61 years old)
Opera
Natalie Dessay is a French soprano, best known as an opera singer before her retirement from the opera stage in 2013. She gained wide recognition after her portrayal of Olympia in The Tales of Hoffmann in 1992, and then performing at leading stages, such as the Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
7 Signature Roles6 Principal Houses
Spotlight
Career Trajectory
Natalie Dessay rose to prominence in the 1990s as one of Europe's most accomplished lyric coloratura sopranos, establishing herself at the Opéra de Paris and quickly advancing to the world's premier opera houses. Her signature roles—Lucia, the Queen of the Night, Olympia, and Manon—showcased a voice of crystalline purity coupled with formidable technical command and compelling dramatic presence. In the 2000s and beyond, she expanded her artistic horizons beyond traditional opera, pursuing recital, concert, and theatrical projects that demonstrated her intellectual range and refusal to be confined by genre.
Career Highlight
Sang the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor at the Metropolitan Opera, establishing herself as one of the leading interpreters of the role in her generation (1999–2010s)
At a Glance
- Voice
- Soprano (lyric coloratura)
- Nationality
- France
- Born
- 1965 · Lyon, France
- Active since
- 1999
Training & Education
Conservatoire de Bordeaux Jacques Thibaud
Engagements
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