Biography
Recently described as a "divine singer" (Trouw, Netherlands), Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique is recognized as an artist of "dramatic presence and versatility" (Washington Post, USA) and possessing "genuine star quality" (New York Amsterdam News). Jeanine holds a Master degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Her awards include First prize at the Young Concert Artists, Inc Music Competition, the Arleen Auger Prize at the Hertogenbosch International Vocal Competition, Third Prize in the Viotti International Music Competition and a prize winner at the Gerda Lissner Vocal Competition (New York). She was a finalist and a study grant award recipient of the 2011 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and received a study grant from the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation during her studies. Highlights of the upcoming season 2018/19 will be the title role of Handel's Rodelinda at Opéra de Lille, Théâtre de Caen and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées conducted by Emmanuelle Häim; her role debut as Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro at Arizona Opera; Donna Anna with Opéra national du Rhin and Aida in Caruso in Havana by Micha Hamel, a new production produced by National Dutch Opera. Concert performances include, Mahler 4 at La Scala di Milano, Marinsky Theater, Philharmonie im Gasteig, Béla Bartók Concert Hall - Müpa Budapest conducted by Teodor Currentzis; Messiah with the Melbourne Symphony and Handel Arias and Mozart's Requiem with the Budapest Festival Orchestra conducted by Ivan Fischer among others. Last summer, she gave highly acclaimed debuts at the Salzburg Festival as Annio in a new production of La Clemenza di Tito by Peter Sellars and at the BBC PROMS and the Aldeburgh Festival with the Chineke! Orchestra in works by Handel, followed by concerts of La Clemenza di Tito throughout Europe with Musica Aeterna, conducted by Teodor Currentzis. Highlights in 2017/18 include Musetta in La Boheme at Scottish Opera and Theater St. Gallen, Micäela in Carmen at Opera Santa Barbara, her Berlin debut in Arvo Pärt's "Como la cierva sedienta" with the Konzerthausorchester under Iván Fischer, Handel's Messiah with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, a recital at the Ravinia Festival and her debut at De Nationale Opera Amsterdam as Annio in Peter Sellars' Salzburg production. Jeanine is a former member of the Vienna State Opera, where she appeared as Gianetta in L'elisir d'amore, Barbarina in Le nozze di Figaro, Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Eine Modistin in Der Rosenkavalier and Ada in Wagner's Die Feen. Concert appearances include Mozart's Exultate Jubilate with Sinfonia Rotterdam at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Rachel in Kurt Weill's Die Verheissung with the MDR Symphony Orchestra under Kristjan Jaervi, Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem with the Munich Philharmonic and L'Orchestra della Svizzera under the baton of Lorin Maazel, with whom she also made her New York Philharmonic debut in Mahler's Symphony No. 8 at Avery Fisher Hall. Mozart's Coronation Mass and Exultate Jubilate with Atlanta Symphony, Mozart's mass in C minor with the Jacksonville symphony and Mendelssohn's Psalm with the Edmonton Symphony. Ms. De Bique has also enjoyed appearing as a soloist in the United States with the Rochester Philharmonic, New Jersey, Charlotte, Amarillo Symphonies and the Louisville and Sarasota Orchestras. Jeanine's career reflects her commitment to inclusion and justice for those who are disadvantaged. As a recipient of the ambassador for peace, awarded by the National Commission of UNESCO, Trinidad and Tobago, she has continued to raise awareness of the value of classical music in transforming lives and to dedicate performances to support the well-being and safety of young people. Charity is integral to her work. In Barbados 2008 and 2010, proceeds from her recitals benefitted kids with autism and other disabilities. A fund for promising young organists was established by the Anglican Church there. With the support of the National Cultural Foundation Barbados and the Rotary Club South, she collaborated in 2015 with the World Doctors' Orchestra to perform Mahler 4 at the Frank Colleymore Hall. The concerts gave visibility to the talent of members of the National Youth Orchestra who performed with the orchestra. Proceeds from that event were used to purchase special auditory equipment for the children's ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Musical outreach to children provides her with the unique opportunity to engage their minds, fill their imaginations and infuse them with hope. This year, with the support of the Ravinia Festival, she worked with 4 different schools in Chicago with kids ranging between the ages of 5-17 years and she introduced them to the world of classical music and opera, the rhythms and folk songs of the Caribbean, and their own heritage of African American spirituals. When she is not on the stage, Jeanine takes restorative breaks to balance the rigor of performances by roaming quiet paths, climbing mountains and pursuing historic places. She also remains very close to her teacher's vocal technique and training. Jeanine is conscious of the ways in which she contributes to bringing the still underrepresented Caribbean to the forefront in the field of opera. Being a native of the Caribbean community, Trinidad and Tobago, is something of which she is immensely and justifiably proud.
