Emmanuelle Haïm

Emmanuelle Haïm – born in Paris, France on May 11, 1962 – is a harpsichordist and conductor who specializes in baroque and early music. She is the founder and conductor of baroque-era ensemble Le Concert d'Astrée, which she formed in 2000. Emmanuelle Haïm has also served as a guest conductor for some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, the Berliner Philharmoniker, and many others. Her musical journey began at eight years old when her father purchased a piano. She studied piano at the Conservatoire de Paris – where she won five first prizes - and studied organ, harmony, and musical writing. She then studied the harpsichord under Kenneth Gilbert and William Christie, for whom she became an assistant to the ensemble Les Arts Florissants. An admirer of vocal expression, she became the director of the choir at the Baroque Music Center of Versailles as well as teaching at the Paris Conservatory from 1990 to 2002. In 2000, she founded the ensemble Le Concert d'Astrée, which led to singing a recording contract with Virgin Classics. She came to international prominence with the release of albums such as Arcadian Duets (2002), Handel: Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (2003), Handel: Delirio (2005), and Bach: Cantatas (2008). In 2007, Emmanuelle Haïm was the first woman to conduct the Chicago Lyric Opera and three years later, she conducted the Concerto Köln for the recording of her album Caldara in Vienna - Forgotten Castrato Arias. She has received numerous awards throughout her career including three Victoires de la Musique Classique awards (2003, 2008 and 2009). In 2007, she was given honorary membership in the Royal Academy of Music, London. She became a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (2009) and is a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Emmanuelle Haïm became an Officier of the Ordre national du Mérite in 2017. Her 2022 album Une Nouvelle Fête Baroque! 20 Ans, was a recording from a live performance that featured guests Rolando Villazon, Michael Spyres, Natalie Dessay, Emoke Barath, Laurent Naouri, Lea Desandre and Mathias Vidal. The concert was a celebration of Le Concert d'Astrée’s 20th anniversary.