Elīna Garanča
mezzo-soprano
“Only a handful of singers,” wrote The Daily Telegraph, “possess equal measures of vocal beauty, technical mastery and all-round musicality alongside that indefinable magic called charisma or star quality – but among this crème de la crème, Elīna Garanča undoubtedly holds a special place.” The Latvian mezzo-soprano made her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker in early June 2008 and has been a recurring guest since then.
Garanča studied at the Latvian Academy of Music, won the Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition in 1999, and was a finalist in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition. She began her stunning career as an ensemble member at the Meininger Staatstheater and as a guest at the Oper Frankfurt. Engagements followed at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, the Salzburg Festival, Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich and at renowned festivals worldwide. In May 2013, Elīna Garanča was honoured with the title of Kammersängerin at Wiener Staatsoper, where she has sung over 140 performances in 18 roles since her debut in 2003. She is also an acclaimed lieder interpreter, and in concert she works with the leading orchestras and conductors throughout Europe. Among other accolades, she received the European Culture Award in 2006, was named 2007 Singer of the Year by MIDEM, and Vocalist of the Year 2010 by Musical America magazine.
