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| Philippe Jaroussky | |
|---|---|
| Name | Philippe Jaroussky |
| Birth date | 1978-02-08 |
| Birth place | Maisons-Laffitte, Yvelines, France |
| Occupation | Countertenor |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | Virgin Classics, Erato, Warner Classics |
Philippe Jaroussky is a French countertenor renowned for his luminous tone, virtuosic agility, and prominence in Baroque and classical vocal repertoire. A frequent collaborator with leading conductors, orchestras, festivals, conservatories, and recording labels, he has helped popularize Baroque opera and cantata repertory across Europe and the Americas. Jaroussky's career spans opera houses, concert halls, and studio projects with a focus on early music, contemporary commissions, and historically informed performance.
Jaroussky was born in Maisons-Laffitte, Hauts-de-Seine, and raised near Paris. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and trained under teachers associated with the French conservatory tradition, later refining technique with specialists in early music. During his formative years he attended masterclasses and workshops linked to institutions such as the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, the Juilliard School, and the Royal College of Music networks, while participating in festivals like the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence and programs sponsored by the Fondation Royaumont.
Jaroussky's professional debut occurred in the late 1990s with ensembles active in Baroque opera and oratorio. Early collaborations included work with artists from the Les Arts Florissants circle and conductors associated with the English Concert and Academy of Ancient Music. His breakthrough came after acclaimed appearances at the Glyndebourne Festival, the Teatro alla Scala, and the Opéra Garnier, where his interpretations of roles in works by Henry Purcell, Antonio Vivaldi, and Georg Friedrich Handel drew international attention. Engagements at venues such as the Carnegie Hall, the Konzerthaus Berlin, and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées consolidated his reputation.
Jaroussky's repertoire centers on Baroque composers including Georg Friedrich Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, Claudio Monteverdi, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and Marc-Antoine Charpentier, extending to Classical and contemporary works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Benjamin Britten, and living composers who have written for countertenor voice. Critics frequently compare his timbre and technique with historical and modern countertenors linked to the revival of the alto repertoire such as performers from the 20th-century early music revival and colleagues associated with ensembles like Les Talens Lyriques and Il Giardino Armonico. His vocal style emphasizes purity of line, agile coloratura, and dynamic control prized in historically informed performance practice promoted by conductors like William Christie, Emmanuel Krivine, and Marc Minkowski.
Jaroussky has an extensive discography on labels including Virgin Classics, Erato Records, and Warner Classics, featuring solo albums, complete operas, and sacred works. Notable recordings encompass Vivaldi arias, Handel cantatas, and compilations of Baroque arias recorded with ensembles tied to the Baroque revival movement. His albums have been released alongside projects by artists represented by major classical music houses such as the Deutsche Grammophon roster and have been marketed in collaboration with festivals like the BBC Proms and competitions such as the ARTE Concert series. Many recordings have charted on classical lists in countries including France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States, and Italy.
Jaroussky founded and regularly performs with the chamber ensemble Artaserse, working with instrumentalists connected to groups like Les Arts Florissants, Les Musiciens du Louvre, and L'Arpeggiata. He has partnered with conductors such as William Christie, Emmanuelle Haïm, Marc Minkowski, Christophe Rousset, Jean-Claude Malgoire, and René Jacobs. Collaborations extend to soloists and directors including Dame Emma Kirkby, Vivica Genaux, Jordi Savall, Thomas Hengelbrock, Rolando Villazón, and stage directors associated with the Royal Opera House and the Opéra National de Paris.
Jaroussky's distinctions include prizes from competitions and institutions like the Victoire de la Musique Classique, the Gramophone Awards, and nominations from the Grammy Awards. He has been recognized by cultural bodies such as the Ministère de la Culture (France), received honors from municipal and regional arts councils, and been invited to serve in advisory roles for festivals including the Aix-en-Provence Festival and the Festival d'Auvers-sur-Oise. His recordings and performances have earned accolades from publications and organizations like BBC Music Magazine, The New York Times, and the Opus Klassik awards.
Jaroussky lives in France and participates in outreach and educational projects linked to conservatories and foundations such as the Fondation Royaumont and the Institut de France. He appears in media programs broadcast by networks including BBC Radio 3, France Musique, Arte, and RAI and has been profiled in newspapers like Le Monde, The Guardian, and The New York Times. His public activities include masterclasses at institutions such as the Conservatoire de Paris and guest residencies at festivals including the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence.
Category:French countertenors Category:1978 births Category:Living people