Alain Zaepffel (Counter-tenor)

Born: France

The French counter-tenor, Alain Zaepffel, studied literature and singing.

Following his studies, Alain Zaepffel participated in several polyphonic ensembles. He sang in various oratorios and operas. Impassioned by the theatre, he was associated in particular with Antoine Vitez and Marcel Bozonnet with whom he founded in 1997 the Theatre La Princesse de Clèves. In addition to the Baroque opera, which he performs regularly, he has taken part in a great number of contemporary performances (Georges Aperghis, René Koering, etc.). As a founder and Musical Director of the Ensemble Gradiva, he has recorded extensibly.

As the Director of the Department of Vocal Music of the Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique of Paris, Alain Zaepffel organised in 1999 an international workshop entitled "Scènes d'Esther"; repeated at the Festival d'Ile-de-France. He is also a Professor of Vocal Music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris.

Selected Discography (with Ensemble Gradiva): Johann Adolf Hasse: Il Ciclope, La Danza (Ades, 1992); Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Leçons de ténèbres (Accord, reissued in 2004); M-A Charpentier: Leçons de ténèbres et ragas de la nuit avancée (K617); Alessandro Scarlatti - Stabat Mater / Salve Regina (Accord, reissued 2002); Anthoine Boesset: Madame de Lafayette (Adès, reissued by Accord, 2004).

Source: Radio France Website; English translation by Teddy Kaufman (October 2006)
Contributed by Teddy Kaufman (October 2006)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Max Pommer

Bass

BWV 245 [VHS]

Links to other Sites

Radio France: France Culture Jeudi 5 juin 2003 [French]