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Friday Nov 15, 2024
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
She has been called ‘opera’s coolest soprano’ by none other than the New York Times, named one of Marie Claire magazine’s ‘Women on Top 2011,’ while The Independent sums her up by saying, “With de Niese around, not much else matters.”
Danielle de Niese’s “sweet, gleaming soprano,” “phenomenal musicality” and “sharply comic, yet utterly moving acting,” combined with an entrancing physical presence, have launched her into a spectacular career. The Australian-born American singer regularly appears on the world’s most prestigious opera and concert stages and has an exclusive recording contract with Decca.
For her debut solo album, ‘Handel Arias,’ released in 2007, de Niese was named ‘New Artist of the Year’ at the 2008 ECHO Awards, received the 2008 Orphee D’Or by the Academie Du Disque Lyrique, and was nominated for the 2009 Classical Brit Award for ‘Female Artist of the Year.’
Born to parents of Sri Lankan and Dutch heritage, Danielle grew up in Los Angeles and was a fixture of local television, hosting a weekly arts showcase for teenagers, for which she won an Emmy Award at the age of 16.
De Niese’s career got off to a formidable start when, at 18, she became the youngest singer ever to enter the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. A year later, she made her Met debut as Barbarina in ‘Le nozze di Figaro’ in Jonathan Miller’s acclaimed new production with James Levine.
Soon after came important operatic debuts with the Netherlands Opera, the Saito Kinen Festival, and the Paris Opera, but it was her portrayal of Cleopatra in a David McVicar production of Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’ for her 2005 Glyndebourne Festival debut that brought her true international acclaim.
The New York Times hailed De Niese’s performance, writing, “Her singing is utterly delectable and completely assured... sheer ‘joie de vivre’ and mastery come spilling across, to the eyes as well as the ears.”
And now, she returns to the land of her ancestors, performing for the first time in the island.
On 21 November, Danielle will entertain and amaze at Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle, in an intimate setting – perfect for all lovers of opera.
“Once in a while, the world is truly blessed with an immense talent. Be it music, or the arts, or any form of expression that moves people, what matters is what you do with that gift. Danielle has chosen to showcase hers, and has done so with the greatest in the world such as Placido Domingo. We are proud to have her with us, and we hope to see all her fans having a great time at Jetwing Lighthouse on 21 November,” said Hiran Cooray, Chairman of Jetwing.
From arias by Handel, to soaring Mozart classics, and a vibrant selection from Gershwin, Mercer and Cole Porter, this event is not to be missed. Danielle will be accompanied by renowned musicians Soundarie David Rodrigo and Eshantha Pieris, and tickets are priced at Rs. 8,000, Rs. 7,000 and Rs. 5,000 with an extremely limited overnight stay package available: tickets for two, plus a double deluxe room inclusive of dinner on the night of the performance, and breakfast the following day all for Rs. 28,000.
After all, it’s not every day that the finest the opera world has to offer performs live in Sri Lanka! For more information and to reserve your seats, please contact the reservations department of Jetwing Lighthouse on 0912223744.
