Janine Reiss, a renowned French singing teacher and harpsichordist, was born on November 23, 1921, and passed away on June 2, 2020, at the age of 99.
With a background in harpsichord, Reiss specialized in the 1960s in preparing international opera singers for the French repertoire. For a decade, she worked alongside legendary singers such as Maria Callas, Teresa Berganza, Mady Mesplé, Julia Migenes, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti.
As the director of musical studies at the Paris Opera from 1973 to 1980, Reiss collaborated with opera houses and conductors worldwide. Every summer, she directed the musical studies of the Chorégies d'Orange.
In 1978, Reiss participated in the preparation of the film Don Giovanni by Joseph Losey, serving as the musical advisor and appearing onscreen as a harpsichordist, accompanying all the recitatives. She also ventured into the world of variety, working with notable artists such as Mireille Mathieu, whom she met in 1983 on the TV program Le Grand Échiquier, hosted by Jacques Chancel.
In 2003, a documentary titled Janine Reiss: L'Esprit de l'Opéra was dedicated to her by Thierry Thomas and Pierre Bouteiller. In January 2013, Dominique Fournier published a book about her life, La passion prédominante de Janine Reiss, with a preface by Alain Duault.
Throughout her illustrious career, Reiss received numerous accolades and recognition for her contributions to the world of opera and music.
