Country

:

France

Birth

:

March 7, 1931 in Toulouse, France

Death

:

May 30, 2020 in Toulouse, France

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Mady Mesplé was a French soprano who was born on March 7, 1931, in Toulouse, France. She was the daughter of a music teacher and began her musical training at a young age. Mesplé studied at the Toulouse Conservatory and later at the Paris Conservatory, where she won first prize in singing in 1953. Mesplé made her professional debut in 1953 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, where she sang the role of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." She quickly gained recognition for her clear, agile voice and her ability to sing difficult coloratura roles with ease. In 1956, Mesplé made her debut at the Paris Opera, where she sang the role of Olympia in Offenbach's "The Tales of Hoffmann." She went on to perform many other roles at the Paris Opera, including Zerbinetta in Richard Strauss's "Ariadne auf Naxos," Lucia in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," and Gilda in Verdi's "Rigoletto." Mesplé also performed extensively in other opera houses throughout Europe, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and the Vienna State Opera. She was particularly renowned for her performances of Mozart's operas, and she sang the role of the Queen of the Night more than 200 times throughout her career. In addition to her opera performances, Mesplé was also a prolific concert singer. She performed in recitals and with orchestras throughout the world, singing a wide range of repertoire from Baroque to contemporary music. She was particularly known for her interpretations of French art songs and operetta. Mesplé's career was marked by many highlights and accolades. In 1960, she was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for her recording of Mozart's "The Magic Flute." She was also awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1973, one of the highest honors in France. One of Mesplé's most memorable performances was her portrayal of Olympia in the 1975 film adaptation of "The Tales of Hoffmann," directed by French filmmaker Jacques Demy. Mesplé's performance of the famous aria "Les oiseaux dans la charmille" ("The birds in the arbor") was a highlight of the film and helped to introduce her to a wider audience. Mesplé retired from performing in 1985, but she continued to be active in the music world as a teacher and mentor to young singers. She taught at the Paris Conservatory and was also a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music schools throughout Europe. Mady Mesplé passed away on May 30, 2020, at the age of 89. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest French sopranos of the 20th century, known for her impeccable technique, crystal-clear voice, and captivating stage presence.

More....