File photo of Veronique Gens. [Photo from Internet]

As an important showcase of Festival Croisements 2015, the largest French cultural event in the world and largest of its kind in China, French soprano Veronique Gens made her debut in the country with China Philharmonic Orchestra at Beijing Poly Theater on May 9.

Veronique appeared at the first half of the concert. She performed the classic aria La mort de Cleopatre (the death of Cleopatra) from Prix de Rome Canatas with conductor David Stern, Chief Conductor of Palm Beach Opera and director of the Shanghai Baroque Festival. Her exciting and moving premiere was welcomed by the audience.

China Philharmonic Orchestra also played the works by Maurice Ravel and Ferruccio Busoni with conductor David Stern. It was the first time that the orchestra played Turandot Suite in the country.

Veronique is considered one of the world’s finest Baroque performer as well as Mozart singer. Her success in the role of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at the Aix-en –Provence Festival was followed by appearances at the major European opera houses and festivals. She has worked with several top orchestras at the Berlin Philharmonic, Age of Enlightenment, the French National Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and so on.

Elected “Singer of the year 1999” by French magazine Victories de la Musique (Victory of Music), Veronique has made over 70 recordings, with many of them winning international prizes. She has been nominated for Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight in Art and Literature of Honor) as well as Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (Knight of Legion of Honor).

On May 16, Veronique will give her second show in China at Guangzhou Xinghai Consert Hall with French harpist Xavier de Maistre as well as Guangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra.