Birth

:

June 13, 1963 in County Durham, England

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Sarah Connolly is a renowned mezzo-soprano who has established herself as one of the leading classical music artists of her generation. Born on June 13, 1963, in County Durham, England, Connolly grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. She attended the Royal Holloway, University of London, where she studied music and drama, and later went on to study at the Royal College of Music. Connolly's career began in the early 1990s, when she made her debut with the English National Opera in a production of Benjamin Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." She quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and expressive performances, and went on to perform with some of the world's most prestigious opera companies, including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Paris Opera. One of Connolly's most notable performances was in the title role of Handel's "Ariodante" at the Royal Opera House in 1996. The production was widely praised for its innovative staging and Connolly's stunning vocal performance. She went on to perform the role of Ariodante in several other productions, including at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Connolly has also been recognized for her performances in contemporary opera. In 2000, she starred in the world premiere of Thomas Adès' "The Tempest" at the Royal Opera House, which was hailed as a groundbreaking production. She has also performed in several other contemporary operas, including Mark-Anthony Turnage's "The Silver Tassie" and George Benjamin's "Written on Skin." In addition to her work in opera, Connolly is also a highly sought-after concert performer. She has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. She is particularly known for her performances of works by Handel, Bach, and Mahler. Connolly has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. In 2004, she was awarded the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to music. She has also been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Singer Award, the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera, and the Gramophone Award for Best Baroque Vocal Recording. Despite her many accomplishments, Connolly remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She is known for her tireless work ethic and her commitment to bringing new life to classical music. She continues to perform regularly and is widely regarded as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of her generation.

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