Joyce DiDonato Mezzo-soprano

Winner of the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo, Kansas-born mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato entrances audiences across the globe with a voice “nothing less than 24-carat gold” according to the Times, DiDonato has soared to the top of the industry both as a performer and a fierce advocate for the arts, gaining international prominence in operas by Handel and Mozart, as well as through her wide-ranging, acclaimed discography. She is also widely acclaimed for the bel canto roles of Rossini and Donizetti.

Much in demand on the concert and recital circuit she has recently held residencies at Carnegie Hall and at London’s Barbican Centre, toured extensively in South America, Europe and Asia. Recent highlights in opera have included the title role in Maria Stuarda at the Metropolitan Opera, for The Royal Opera and at the Liceu in Barcelona; the title role in Alcina on tour with the English Concert and Harry Bicket and Marguerite La damnation de Faust with the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle.

DiDonato’s 2015/16 plans include Arden Scott in the world premiere of Jake Heggie's Great Scott at the Dallas Opera, her first Charlotte Werther for The Royal Opera, I Capuleti e i Montecchi at the Liceu, as well as a return to the Metropolitan Opera as Elena in La donna del lago.

An exclusive recording artist with Erato/Warner Classics, DiDonato’s latest recording – ‘Tony & Joyce’ Live at Wigmore Hall – has been selected as “le choix de France Musique”. Other recordings include Stella di Napoli, a sumptuous bel canto banquet including little-known gems alongside music by Bellini, Rossini and Donizetti. Her Grammy-Award-winning recording Diva Divo comprises arias by male and female characters, celebrating the rich dramatic world of the mezzo-soprano. A retrospective of her first ten years of recordings entitled ReJoyce! was released last year. Other honours include the Gramophone Artist of the Year and Recital of the Year awards, three German Echo Klassik Awards as Female Singer of the Year, and an induction into the Gramophone Hall of Fame.