Diana Montague
Diana Montague Rendall (born 8 April 1953) is an English mezzo-soprano, known for her performances in opera and as a concert singer.
Biography
[edit]Montague was born in Winchester and educated at the Testwood School, the Winchester School of Art and the Royal Northern College of Music. She made her professional debut as Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Glyndebourne Touring Opera in 1977 and went on to sing leading mezzo-soprano roles in opera houses throughout Europe and as well as in the United States. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Annio in La clemenza di Tito on 22 January 1987[1] and later appeared with the company as Sesto in La clemenza di Tito (1987), Dorabella in Così fan tutte (1988), Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro (1988), Nicklausse in Les contes d'Hoffmann (1989) and in 2016 she returned after a 27-year absence to sing Gertrude in Roméo et Juliette.[2] In 2013 she sang at Opera Holland Park as Carmela in I gioielli della Madonna by Wolf-Ferrari.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Montague was married to the British tenor David Rendall from February 1990 until his death on 25 July 2025.[4] The marriage produced four children.[5] Rendall had a daughter from a previous marriage and Montague was her step-mother.[6] They lived in Brockenhurst, Hampshire.[7]
Recordings
[edit]Montague appears on several full-length opera recordings, including the rarities Rosmonda d'Inghilterra, Zoraida di Granata, and Il crociato in Egitto, all for Opera Rara. Her other opera recordings include:
- Le Comte Ory – Count Ory: John Aler; tenor, Isolier: Diana Montague, mezzo-soprano; Countess Adèle: Sumi Jo, soprano; Dame Ragonde: Raquel Pierotti, mezzo-soprano; Alice: Maryse Castets, soprano; Orchestra and Chorus of the Opéra de Lyon conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Label: Philips
- Iphigénie en Tauride – Iphigenie: Diana Montague, mezzo-soprano; Oreste: Thomas Allen, baritone; Pylade: John Aler, tenor; Monteverdi Choir; Orchestras of the Opéra de Lyon conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Label: Philips
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Page, Tim, "Met Opera: 'Clemenza by Mozart is Presented", The New York Times, 24 January 1987
- ^ Montague, Diana (Mezzo Soprano), Archives.metoperafamily.org
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ Fox, Sue, "Interview: David Rendall", The Times, 24 July 2005
- ^ https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/articles/6650--obituary-david-rendall-1948-2025
- ^ https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/articles/6650--obituary-david-rendall-1948-2025
- ^ https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8311801.opera-singer-david-montague-rendall-launches-compensation-claim/
External links
[edit]- Diana Montague on the Peter Moores Foundation
- Artist's biography on Intermusica Artists' Management
