Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Christiane Eda-Pierre was a French soprano who was born on March 24, 1932, in Fort-de-France, Martinique. She was the daughter of a schoolteacher and a seamstress. Her father was also a musician who played the clarinet and saxophone. Eda-Pierre grew up in a musical family and was exposed to music from a young age. She began singing in church choirs and local festivals in Martinique. In 1950, Eda-Pierre moved to Paris to study music at the Conservatoire de Paris. She studied under the renowned soprano Claire Croiza and the tenor Georges Jouatte. She also studied piano and music theory. Eda-Pierre graduated from the conservatory in 1955 with a first prize in singing. After graduating, Eda-Pierre began performing in concerts and recitals throughout France. She made her operatic debut in 1957 at the Opéra de Marseille as Micaëla in Bizet's Carmen. She quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and expressive performances. In 1958, she made her debut at the Opéra-Comique in Paris as the Countess in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Eda-Pierre's international career began in 1963 when she made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London as Micaëla in Carmen. She also made her debut at the Salzburg Festival that same year as Pamina in Mozart's The Magic Flute. She went on to perform at many of the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, La Scala in Milan, and the Vienna State Opera. One of Eda-Pierre's most famous roles was as the title character in Massenet's Manon. She first performed the role in 1965 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris and went on to perform it at many other opera houses throughout her career. She was also known for her performances in Mozart's operas, particularly as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni. Eda-Pierre was a versatile singer who was equally at home in opera, oratorio, and recital repertoire. She was particularly known for her interpretations of French and Mozartian repertoire. She was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by composers such as Olivier Messiaen and Henri Dutilleux. Throughout her career, Eda-Pierre received many awards and honors. In 1973, she was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, one of France's highest honors. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1981. In 1995, she was awarded the Victoire d'Honneur, a lifetime achievement award, at the Victoires de la Musique Classique, France's most prestigious classical music awards. Eda-Pierre retired from the stage in 1996 but continued to teach and give masterclasses. She was a professor of singing at the Conservatoire de Paris from 1996 to 2000. She also served as a jury member for many international singing competitions, including the Cardiff Singer of the World competition. Eda-Pierre passed away on September 5, 2020, at the age of 88. She was remembered as one of the greatest French sopranos of the 20th century, known for her beautiful voice, expressive performances, and dedication to her art.

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