Country

:

France

Birth

:

May 6, 1934 in Villefranche-de-Lauragais, France

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Jane Berbié was a French mezzo-soprano who was born on October 17, 1931, in Marseille, France. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a violinist and her mother was a pianist. Berbié began her musical training at a young age and showed a natural talent for singing. Berbié studied at the Marseille Conservatory and later at the Paris Conservatory, where she studied with the renowned soprano Germaine Lubin. She made her professional debut in 1956 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, where she sang the role of Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Her performance was well-received, and she quickly became a sought-after performer in France. Berbié's career took off in the 1960s, when she began performing at major opera houses around the world. She made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London in 1962, where she sang the role of Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville. She also performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Vienna State Opera, and the Paris Opera. Berbié was known for her powerful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. She was particularly acclaimed for her performances in French opera, including works by Bizet, Massenet, and Debussy. She also performed in Italian and German opera, singing roles in works by Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner. One of Berbié's most famous roles was that of Carmen in Bizet's opera of the same name. She first performed the role in 1965 at the Paris Opera, and it became one of her signature roles. She went on to perform the role at major opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Opera House. Berbié was also a successful concert performer, and she performed with many of the world's leading orchestras. She was particularly acclaimed for her performances of French art songs, and she recorded several albums of this repertoire. Throughout her career, Berbié received many awards and honors. She was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1977 and was promoted to Officer in 1994. She also received the Order of Arts and Letters from the French government in 1985. In 1996, she was awarded the Victoire de la Musique, the highest honor for a French musician. Berbié retired from performing in 1997, but she continued to teach and mentor young singers. She was a professor at the Paris Conservatory and also taught at the Académie Internationale d'Été de Nice. She was known for her dedication to her students and for her ability to inspire them to reach their full potential. Jane Berbié passed away on March 10, 2014, at the age of 82. She left behind a legacy as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her generation. Her powerful voice and emotional performances continue to inspire and move audiences around the world.

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