Raphaele Arié was a French mezzo-soprano who was born on September 22, 1926, in Toulouse, France. She was born into a family of musicians, and her father was a conductor and composer. Arié began her musical training at a young age, studying piano and singing. She later attended the Conservatoire de Toulouse, where she studied voice with Germaine Lubin. In 1948, Arié made her professional debut at the Opéra de Toulouse, singing the role of Carmen in Bizet's opera of the same name. She quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and dramatic stage presence, and she was soon invited to perform at major opera houses throughout Europe. One of Arié's most notable performances was her portrayal of the title role in Gluck's opera Orfeo ed Euridice. She first performed the role in 1953 at the Opéra de Paris, and she went on to perform it at the Royal Opera House in London, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Her performance in the role was widely praised for its emotional depth and musicality. Arié also had a successful career as a concert singer, performing with major orchestras and conductors around the world. She was particularly known for her performances of works by Bach, Handel, and Mozart. In 1960, she performed in a historic concert at the Vatican, singing Mozart's Mass in C minor under the direction of Herbert von Karajan. Throughout her career, Arié received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 1961, she was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for her recording of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice. She was also made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1977, in recognition of her artistic achievements. Arié continued to perform well into her later years, and she remained an active advocate for classical music throughout her life. She passed away on December 11, 1988, in Paris, France, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos of her generation.

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