Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

France

Birth

:

July 15, 1956 in Montmorency, France

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Gerard Lesne is a French countertenor who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on February 1, 1956, in Montmorency, France, Lesne grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a music teacher, and his mother was a pianist. Lesne started singing at a young age and was trained in the choir of the Sainte-Croix de Neuilly church. Lesne's talent was recognized early on, and he was accepted into the Conservatoire National de Région de Versailles, where he studied under the guidance of René Jacobs. After completing his studies, Lesne began his career as a soloist, performing in various concerts and festivals across Europe. Lesne's breakthrough came in 1987 when he was invited to perform in William Christie's production of Lully's Atys at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The production was a huge success, and Lesne's performance was widely praised. This led to more opportunities for Lesne, and he soon became one of the most sought-after countertenors in the world. Lesne's repertoire is vast, and he has performed works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Monteverdi. He is particularly known for his interpretations of French Baroque music, and he has recorded several albums of works by composers such as Charpentier, Rameau, and Lully. Lesne has performed in some of the world's most prestigious venues, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He has also collaborated with some of the world's leading conductors, including William Christie, Philippe Herreweghe, and Marc Minkowski. Lesne's talent has been recognized with several awards and honors. In 1990, he was awarded the Prix de la Révélation Lyrique by the French Ministry of Culture. He has also been awarded the Diapason d'Or, the Choc du Monde de la Musique, and the Gramophone Award. In addition to his work as a performer, Lesne is also a respected teacher and conductor. He has taught at the Conservatoire National de Région de Versailles and the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. He has also conducted several productions, including Handel's Giulio Cesare and Rameau's Les Indes Galantes. Lesne's contribution to the world of classical music has been immense, and he continues to inspire and influence young musicians around the world. His unique voice and interpretation of Baroque music have earned him a place among the greats of classical music.

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