Obituary: Greek Soprano Jeannette Pilou Dies, Aged 83

By Operawire Staff

Greek soprano Jeannette Pilou has passed away as of Monday, April 28, 2020.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt on July 11, 1937, Pilou began her vocal training in Egypt, before studying under Carla Castellani in Italy. Her professional debut came in 1959 as Violetta in Verdi’a “La Traviata” with the Teatro Smeraldo di Milano.

Pilou came to international acclaim with her interpretation of Mimi in Puccini’s “La boheme” with the Vienna State Opera. Following this, she appeared at venues in London, Brussels, Milan, Amsterdam, Cologne, Genoa, Budapest, Paris, and more; from 1967 to 1986 Pilou sang at the Metropolitan Opera , in roles such as Susanna, Melisande, Micaela, Marguerite, among others.

Pilou sang regularly with the Greek National Opera at the Olympia Theater between 1969 and 1985. In 1998, she interpreted the leading role in the Greek premiere of Debussy’s “Pelleas et Melisnde” at the Athen Concert Hall.

Notable recordings include the 1970 Erato recording of Bizet’s “Carmen” with conductor Alain Lombard and the Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg, as well as the 1991 recording of Massenet’s “Manon” with conductor Serge Baudo and the Orchestra Della Staatsopera Di Vienna, produced by Giuseppe Di Stefano Records.

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