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Alessandra MarcAmerican dramatic soprano singer
Date of Birth: 29.07.1957
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Alessandra Marc
Alessandra Marc, an American dramatic soprano, has performed in some of the most renowned opera houses around the world, accompanied by major orchestras. She is particularly esteemed for her interpretations of works by Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, and composers of the Second Viennese School. Her portrayal of the lead role in Puccini's "Turandot" stands out even among these achievements.
Early Life
Alessandra Marc, then known as Judith Borden, was born on July 29, 1957, in Berlin, Germany. Her mother was German, while her father, of Polish descent, was an American military intelligence officer. Due to her father's frequent reassignments, Marc spent much of her childhood traveling the world with her parents. Eventually, her parents divorced, and she completed her high school education in the suburbs of Baltimore.
Marc's interest in opera first arose during her time at Glen Burnie High School, where she began taking vocal lessons. She then studied at the University of Maryland and privately with lyric soprano Marilyn Cotlow. Under Cotlow's guidance, Marc began participating in performer competitions and won several awards, including the Richard Tucker Music Foundation Career Grants in 1986 and 1987, as well as the victory in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions in 1983.
Performing Career
Marc's performing career began in the early 1980s, starting with chorus and small roles at the Washington National Opera. She made her solo debut, singing Gianetta in Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore." In 1983, she performed the role of Mariana in Wagner's "Das Liebesverbot" at the Waterloo Festival. The following year marked her New York debut, where she sang in Shostakovich's Symphony No. 14. Shortly after, Marc had notable performances at various music festivals, including starring as Iphigénie in Gluck's "Iphigénie en Tauride" at the Waterloo Festival and as Electra in Mozart's "Idomeneo" at the Mostly Mozart Festival.
Alessandra Marc first caught the attention of a wider audience at the Wexford Festival in 1987, where she performed Lisabetta in Giordano's "La cena delle beffe." In the same year, she debuted at Carnegie Hall as Silvana in Ottorino Respighi's "La Fiamma." In 1988, she made her debut at the Santa Fe Opera as Maria in Strauss' "Friedenstag," and she later reprised the role at Carnegie Hall. Around the same time, she also debuted at the Lyric Opera of Chicago as Aida and the Connecticut Grand Opera as Tosca.
In 1989, Alessandra Marc made her debuts at the Metropolitan Opera and the San Francisco Opera, both times singing the lead role in Verdi's "Aida." In 1992, she made her first major European debut, performing the title role in Strauss' "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Vienna State Opera, followed by a successful reprisal of her role in "Aida" at the Rome Opera. She then sang Elisabeth in Verdi's "Don Carlo" at the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, Turandot at the Opera Company of Philadelphia, and opened the 1993 Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
In 1994, Marc debuted at Covent Garden once again in the role of Turandot. Throughout her career, she has performed with renowned ensembles such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, and Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Marc has performed her signature role, Turandot, worldwide, including at the Opéra Bastille in Paris and Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
Personal Life
Alessandra Marc has been married twice. She first married the son of her mentor, Marilyn Cotlow, and later married former stockbroker Bart Brakel. Marc and Brakel have a daughter named Olivia, and they reside in Chantilly, Virginia.
