Christine Brewer

American soprano Christine Brewer was born on 26 October 1955 and grew up in Illinois, where she attended McKendree University. Before beginning her performing career, she worked as a music teacher. Her first performing work was as a member of the Opera Theater of St Louis Chorus for The Beggar's Opera. Her first major role for the same company was as Ellen Orford in Britten's Peter Grimes.

Known for her interpretations of Wagner, Richard Strauss and Britten, her début at the New York Metropolitan Opera was in the title role of Ariadne auf Naxos. She has also sung the role with Opéra de Lyon, Théâtre du Châtelet, Santa Fe Opera, English National Opera and the Opera Theater of St Louis.

Her recordings include Schubert on Hyperion with pianist Graham Johnson, Barber's Vanessa on Chandos with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Leonard Slatkin, Mozart's Requiem with Donald Runnicles and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Telarc and Mahler's Symphony No 8 with Simon Rattle and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for EMI.

A selection of M&V articles about Christine Brewer

Ensemble. A Particular Pleasure - Christine Brewer sings Wagner, enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Highly Articulate - American dramatic soprano Christine Brewer talks to Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Magical Week - Maria Nockin reports from Santa Fe

Ensemble. Lightness and Transparency - New World Symphony, the American orchestral academy, ends its season with an all-Tchaikovsky programme, reported by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Laden with tension - Strauss's 'Elektra' in Cleveland last night, appreciated by Kelly Ferjutz