Birth

:

March 3, 1938 in Lyon, France

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Rachel Yakar is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of opera and vocal music. Born on May 5, 1945, in Jerusalem, Israel, Yakar grew up in a family that was passionate about music. Her father was a cantor, and her mother was a pianist, which exposed her to music at an early age. Yakar began her musical training at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, where she studied voice with Hana Barath and piano with Pnina Salzman. She later continued her studies in Paris with Pierre Bernac, a renowned French baritone, and teacher. Bernac was instrumental in shaping Yakar's vocal technique and musical interpretation, and she credits him for her success as an artist. Yakar made her professional debut in 1971 at the Aix-en-Provence Festival in France, where she sang the role of Pamina in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Her performance was well-received, and it marked the beginning of her career as an opera singer. Yakar went on to perform in major opera houses and festivals around the world, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Salzburg Festival in Austria. One of Yakar's most notable performances was in the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart's "Così fan tutte" at the Glyndebourne Festival in 1975. Her performance was praised for its emotional depth and musicality, and it cemented her reputation as one of the leading sopranos of her generation. Yakar also performed in several productions of Handel's operas, including "Giulio Cesare" and "Rodelinda," which showcased her versatility as a singer. In addition to her opera performances, Yakar was also a sought-after concert singer. She performed with major orchestras around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Yakar's repertoire included works by Bach, Mozart, Schubert, and Mahler, among others, and she was known for her ability to convey the emotional depth of the music through her singing. Yakar's career was marked by several awards and honors. In 1973, she won the International Mozart Competition in Salzburg, which helped to launch her career. She was also awarded the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 1985, in recognition of her contribution to the arts. Yakar was also a professor of voice at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich, where she taught many aspiring singers. Yakar retired from performing in 2005, after a career that spanned over three decades. She remains an influential figure in the world of classical music, and her recordings continue to be admired for their musicality and emotional depth. Yakar's legacy as an artist is a testament to her dedication to the art of singing and her ability to convey the beauty and power of music through her voice.

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