Elīna Garanča facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elīna Garanča
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Garanča in 2012
|
|
| Born | 16 September 1976 |
| Occupation | Opera singer |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse(s) | Karel Mark Chichon |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) |
|
Elīna Garanča (born September 16, 1976) is a famous Latvian opera singer. She is known for her beautiful mezzo-soprano voice. Elīna started learning to sing in her hometown of Riga in 1996. She continued her studies in Vienna and the United States. By 1999, she had already won a major singing competition. Soon after, she began a successful career in Europe and around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Elīna Garanča was born in Riga, Latvia. She grew up in a very musical family. Her father was a director of choirs. Her mother, Anita Garanča, was also a singer and a music teacher. She taught at the Latvian Academy of Music and the Latvian National Opera. This musical background helped Elīna discover her passion for singing early on.
Her Journey in Opera
Elīna began her singing studies at the Latvian Academy of Music in 1996. She then trained with famous teachers in Vienna and the United States. Her professional career started in Germany in 1998.
Her big break came in 2003 at the Salzburg Festival. She performed in Mozart's opera La clemenza di Tito. After this, she quickly got many important roles. She sang as Charlotte in Werther and Dorabella in Così fan tutte.
In 2008, Elīna made her debut at the famous Metropolitan Opera in New York. She played Rosina in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia. Critics praised her performance, saying her singing was "completely comfortable" and "athletic." She also famously sang the main role of Carmen in Georges Bizet's opera Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in 2010 and 2015. In 2018, she took on the role of Dalila in Samson et Dalila at the Vienna State Opera.
Personal Life
Elīna Garanča is married to Karel Mark Chichon, who is a conductor. They have two daughters together. Elīna is very good at languages. She can speak Latvian, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian, and English.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Elīna Garanča has received many awards for her amazing talent. Here are some of them:
- 1999: First Place in the Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition (Finland)
- 2000: Latvian Great Music Award
- 2006: MIDEM Classical Award for "Best Opera"
- 2007: Echo Klassik Award for "Singer of the Year"
- 2007: Three-Star Order, a high honor from the Latvian State
- 2009: Echo Klassik Award for "Singer of the Year"
- 2010: Musical America Award for "Vocalist of the Year"
- 2013: Austrian Kammersängerin (a special title for opera singers)
- 2013: Echo Klassik Award for "Best Solo Recording of the Year"
- 2015: Echo Klassik Award for "Solo recording of the year"
- 2018: Rigan of the Year (Gada rīdzinieks)
- 2019: Latvian Excellence Award in Culture
Opera Roles She Has Performed
Elīna Garanča has performed many different roles in operas. Here are some of the famous ones:
Her Recordings
Elīna Garanča has made many recordings of her performances. One of her recordings, Bajazet, even won a Grammy Award. In 2005, she signed a special contract with Deutsche Grammophon, a famous record company.
Some of her other audio recordings include:
- I Capuleti e i Montecchi by Vincenzo Bellini
- Norma by Vincenzo Bellini
- Il barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini
- Habanera
- Aria Cantilena
- Bel Canto
- Romantique
- Revive
- Lieder
She also has DVD recordings, such as:
- Anna Bolena by Gaetano Donizetti
- La Cenerentola by Gioachino Rossini
- Carmen by Georges Bizet
See also
In Spanish: Elīna Garanča para niños
