Country

:

Norway

Birth

:

1975 in Norway

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Marianne Beate Kielland is a Norwegian mezzo-soprano who has established herself as one of the leading classical music artists of her generation. Born on August 10, 1975, in Stavanger, Norway, Kielland grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a conductor, and her mother was a pianist, so music was always a part of her life. Kielland began her musical education at a young age, studying piano and violin before eventually settling on singing. She attended the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, where she studied with the renowned mezzo-soprano Randi Stene. After completing her studies, Kielland continued to hone her craft by attending masterclasses with some of the world's most respected vocal coaches, including Thomas Quasthoff and Brigitte Fassbaender. Kielland's career as a professional musician began in earnest in the early 2000s. She quickly gained a reputation as a versatile and dynamic performer, equally at home in the worlds of opera, oratorio, and lieder. Her rich, warm voice and impeccable technique made her a sought-after performer, and she soon began to receive invitations to perform at some of the world's most prestigious venues. One of Kielland's early career highlights came in 2003, when she was invited to perform at the Bergen International Festival. Her performance of Mahler's Rückert-Lieder was widely praised, and it helped to establish her as a rising star in the classical music world. In the years that followed, Kielland continued to build her reputation with a series of critically acclaimed performances, both in Norway and abroad. In 2006, Kielland was awarded the prestigious Grieg Prize, which recognizes outstanding contributions to Norwegian music. The award was a testament to Kielland's growing stature as a musician, and it helped to cement her place as one of Norway's most important cultural ambassadors. Over the years, Kielland has performed with some of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. She has appeared with the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic, among others. She has also worked with conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Barenboim, and Mariss Jansons. One of Kielland's most memorable performances came in 2010, when she appeared in a production of Handel's Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The performance was part of the BBC Proms, an annual series of concerts that is broadcast live on television and radio. Kielland's performance was widely praised, and it helped to introduce her to a wider audience. In addition to her work as a performer, Kielland is also a respected recording artist. She has released several albums over the years, including a critically acclaimed recording of Schubert's Winterreise with pianist Sergej Osadchuk. Her recordings have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Diapason d'Or and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik. Kielland's commitment to promoting Norwegian music has also been a hallmark of her career. She has performed works by many Norwegian composers, including Edvard Grieg, Johan Halvorsen, and Arne Nordheim. She has also premiered works by contemporary Norwegian composers such as Rolf Wallin and Lasse Thoresen. In recognition of her contributions to Norwegian music, Kielland was awarded the King's Medal of Merit in 2015. The award is one of Norway's highest honors, and it is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to Norwegian society.

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