Natalie Dessay, born in 1965, is a celebrated French soprano known for her dazzling opera career until her retirement from the opera stage in 2013. She first gained international acclaim with her role as Olympia in The Tales of Hoffmann, leading to performances at major opera houses including the Paris Opera, Vienna State Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera. Renowned for her vocal agility in coloratura roles such as Lakmé, Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos, and the Queen of the Night, she later transitioned to bel canto repertoire after vocal surgery, taking on roles like Lucia di Lammermoor and Violetta in La traviata. In addition to opera, Dessay has explored Baroque music and, since leaving the stage, has established a successful career in theatre and concert, performing a wide range of repertoire from jazz to chansons. Her extensive discography includes recordings with EMI Classics, Virgin Classics, Warner Classics, and Sony Classical.