Galante Inessa (born 1954, Riga) – soprano singer. Possesses a richly feminine voice; her lower register is velvety, while her high notes are soft and masterfully executed with refined vocal shading. Exceptionally stage-present.

In 1972, Inessa Galante graduated from the pharmaceutical department of the Riga Medical College. While working in her professional field, she also studied at the Jazeps Medins Music School (vocal class of R. Shulova). She later completed her studies at the Latvian State Conservatory under L. Braun.

Winner of the Inter-Republican Competition in Minsk (1st prize) and of the Georg Ots Competition (Tallinn, 1986, 1992). Soloist of the Latvian National Opera since 1982. Performed Mozart’s Requiem in Moscow under the baton of Yehudi Menuhin. In the 1980s, she appeared in concerts performing Jewish folk songs arranged by M. Goldin, accompanied by a choir.

In 1991, Inessa Galanteshe moved to Germany. Until 1999, she was a soloist at the Mannheim and Düsseldorf operas. Her repertoire includes: Pamina (The Magic Flute, W.A. Mozart); Rosina (The Barber of Seville, G. Rossini); Adina (L’elisir d’amore, G. Donizetti); in G. Verdi’s operas: Gilda (Rigoletto), Leonora (Il Trovatore), Violetta (La Traviata), Aida (Aida); Marguerite (Faust, C. Gounod); Olympia (The Tales of Hoffmann, J. Offenbach); Micaëla (Carmen, G. Bizet); Iolanta (Iolanta, P.I. Tchaikovsky); the Snow Maiden (The Snow Maiden, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov); Nedda (Pagliacci, R. Leoncavallo); in operas by G. Puccini: Mimì (La Bohème), Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly), Liù (Turandot), among others – a total of about 30 operatic roles and several solo concert programmes.

She has performed in major opera houses and prestigious concert venues worldwide: the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres in Russia, as well as in the UK, USA, France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Israel, and others. Appeared with José Carreras in the Netherlands, performed at Windsor by invitation and in the presence of the British royal family, and at the Kremlin in Moscow.

Tour locations include Germany, Canada, Switzerland, France, Finland, Belgium, and Poland. In October 1993, she toured Latvian communities in the USA and Canada, together with K. Zariņš, A. Krancmanis, and M. Skuja. She frequently performs in Latvia (notably in Riga at the Wagner Hall and Dome Cathedral, and in Sigulda on the open-air stage). Recipient of Latvia’s Mūzikas Balva music award. In recent years, the annual summer festival Inessa Galante Invites has been held in Jūrmala (2006, 2007). Her discography is extensive. She holds both gold and platinum discs.

References:

SKV, pp. 54–55;

Līce, S. Bez Balta Nama, Riga, 1995, pp. 117–130.