Berbie, Jane (1931–)

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Berbie, Jane (1931–)

French mezzo-soprano. Born May 6, 1931, in Villefranche-de-Lauragais, France; studied at Conservatory in Toulouse.

One of the most popular mezzo-sopranos in mid-20th century, was a natural for ingenue parts and "trouser" roles in comic operas; made operatic debut in Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortiléges at La Scala (1958); came to prominence as the young wife in Ravel's L'heure espagnole; joined the Paris Opera (1959), debuting as Mercedes in Carmen; was a stand-out in soubrette roles of Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Despina in Cosi fan tutte and Marcellina in Nozze di Figaro, and excelled as Rosina in The Barber of Seville.