Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

June 26, 1975 in Dolbeau, Quebec, Canada

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Marie-Nicole Lemieux is a Canadian contralto who has established herself as one of the leading classical music artists of her generation. Born on June 26, 1975, in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Quebec, Lemieux grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. She studied at the Conservatoire de musique de Saguenay and later at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, where she received her diploma in 1997. Lemieux's career began to take off in the early 2000s, when she won several prestigious competitions, including the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels in 2000 and the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 2002. These victories brought her to the attention of major opera companies and orchestras around the world, and she quickly became in demand as a soloist. One of Lemieux's early breakthrough performances was in 2003, when she sang the role of Cornelia in Handel's Giulio Cesare at the Glyndebourne Festival in England. Her powerful voice and dramatic presence earned her critical acclaim, and she soon became a regular performer at the festival. She also made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London in 2004, singing the role of Bradamante in Handel's Alcina. Lemieux's repertoire is wide-ranging, encompassing works by composers from the Baroque era to the present day. She is particularly known for her interpretations of Handel, Vivaldi, and Bach, as well as for her performances of French art songs and operas. She has collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors and orchestras, including Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Barenboim, and the Berlin Philharmonic. One of Lemieux's most memorable performances was in 2007, when she sang the role of Dido in Berlioz's Les Troyens at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The production, directed by Sir John Eliot Gardiner, was widely praised for its innovative staging and Lemieux's powerful portrayal of the tragic queen. She also received critical acclaim for her performance in the title role of Handel's Rinaldo at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2011. Lemieux has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 2009, she was named a Knight of the National Order of Quebec, one of the highest honors in her home province. She has also been awarded the Prix Denise-Pelletier, the Prix Opus, and the Prix Juno, among others. In 2015, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor. In addition to her work as a performer, Lemieux is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She has taught masterclasses at institutions around the world, including the Juilliard School in New York and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She is also a passionate advocate for the arts and has served as an ambassador for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre Métropolitain. Lemieux's recordings have received widespread critical acclaim and have won numerous awards. Her album of French art songs, entitled Néère, won the 2010 Juno Award for Classical Album of the Year. She has also recorded several albums of Baroque music, including a highly acclaimed recording of Vivaldi's opera Orlando furioso with the Venice Baroque Orchestra. Despite her many accomplishments, Lemieux remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She has said that her goal as a performer is to "touch people's hearts" and to bring joy and beauty into the world through music.

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