Danielle de Niese
Danielle de Niese, opera singer, is interviewed by Kirsty Young for Desert Island Discs.
Danielle de Niese is a soprano who has taken starring roles with leading opera companies around the world. She was born in Melbourne, Australia, to Sri Lankan parents, and at the age of eight she won a national TV talent show, singing a pop medley. When she was ten, her parents moved the family to Los Angeles, so that she could pursue her dream of becoming an opera singer. She also presented a TV programme, L.A. Kids, for which she won an Emmy award at the age of 16.
She made her professional operatic debut when she was 15 with the Los Angeles Opera, appeared briefly in Les Miserables on Broadway, and first performed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York at the age of 19, taking the role of Barbarina in a production of The Marriage of Figaro, directed by Jonathan Miller.
In 2005 she came to more widespread public attention with her performances as Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare at Glyndebourne, stepping into the role at the last minute when the original Cleopatra was unwell.
She first appeared at the Royal Opera House in London four years later, and her international stage career now ranges from baroque operas to new works. She has also presented a number of television programmes about music. She married Gus Christie, the grandson of Glyndebourne’s founder, in 2009.
Presenter: Kirsty Young
Producer: Sarah Taylor
Last on
Clip
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Danielle de Niese: 'My mum told me, "Dare to dream".'
Duration: 02:31
Music Played
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CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE
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BOOK CHOICE
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
LUXURY ITEM
A slide projector with all the photos she’s ever taken of her loved ones
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Kirsty Young |
Interviewed Guest | Danielle de Niese |
Producer | Sarah Taylor |
Broadcasts
- Sun 16 Sep 2018 11:15
- Fri 21 Sep 2018 09:00BBC Radio 4 FM
- Fri 21 Sep 2018 09:44BBC Radio 4 LW
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