Lyric Soprano, Madeleine Pierard began her musical life as a pianist and chorister in Napier, New Zealand. After completing studies at Victoria University of Wellington (reading Musicology, Composition and Biomedical Science), she completed her MMus at the Benjamin Britten Opera School at the Royal College of Music.

Since her arrival in the UK, Madeleine has studied with Lillian Watson and received coaching from David Syrus, Mark Packwood, Roger Vignoles, Sally Burgess, Paul Farrington and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Madeleine recently won the Lies Askonas Prize, the Great Elm Award at the Wigmore Hall, Les Azuriales Ozone Opera Competition in France and the Singer’s Competition at the Royal Overseas League Competition. Madeleine is also a New Generation Award winner from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand and winner of the 2005 Lexus Song Quest, a competition that launched the careers of Dame Kiri te Kanawa and Jonathan Lemalu.

Recent roles have received glowing reviews around London: (as Meleagro – Atalanta in the London Handel Festival) ‘her voice rippling though the intricate settings with suppleness and purity of tone’ (Classical Source). Madeleine was also named as 'What's Hot' in Opera Now magazine in 2008. RCM roles include Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Cherubino, Prince Charmant (Cendrillon), Thaïs, Composer (Ariadne auf Naxos) and Erissena (Poro). Professional roles include Justice (The First Commandment) with the Classical Opera Company, Die erstes Blumenmädchen (Parsifal), Marzelline (Fidelio) with NBR New Zealand Opera and Musetta (La Boheme) with Longborough Festival Opera. She has performed extensively on the concert platform throughout NZ and the UK, including Verdi’s Requiem, Haydn’s Creation, Handel's Messiah, recitals with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Jonathan Lemalu and as soloist on tour with the NZSO in China. In March 2008, Madeleine made a solo appearance for HRH Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey during the Commonwealth Day Observance. This summer, Madeleine features in a recital series with pianist, Simon Lepper in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Madeleine is also a 2009/10 Samling Scholar and is a 2009/10 trainee at the National Opera Studio.

Along with opera, Madeleine has a particular interest in performing contemporary works, premiering Symphony No. 2 by New Zealand composer, Ross Harris with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Madeleine has recently completed two recordings with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, featuring works by Lyell Cresswell and Beethoven works for soprano and orchestra for the Naxos Label.

Source: Madeleine Pierard

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