Cora Canne Meijer

Cora Canne Meijer (11 August 1929 – 25 August 2020) was a Dutch mezzo-soprano and voice teacher. She studied singing at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and then in Paris and Vienna. Canne Meijer made her stage debut in the minor role of Annina in Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata with the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam in 1950. She sang a series of major roles during her career and was a member of the ensemble of the Zurich Opera House on a two-year contract from 1960 until 1962. Canne Meijer's final stage performance was in 1999. She was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1973.

Early life Canne Meijer was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 11 August 1929. Her father, Johan Canne Meijer, was a car parts representative, and her mother worked an office job. Canne Meijer had an elder brother, who was killed in an Allied bombing during the Second World War. However, Canne Meijer listened to a record of Schubert songs in her youth, opting instead for a singing career. she studied singing under Jan Keizer and at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Canne Meijer furthered her vocal training under Noémie Pérugia in Paris and under Alfred Jerger in Vienna.

Career In September 1950, she made her stage debut in the minor role of Annina in Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata with the Dutch National Opera in Amsterdam. and the title role in Ambroise Thomas’s Mignon. In 1958, Canne Meijer sang at the Holland Festival in The Hague (Koninklijke Schouwburg) in the world premiere of Sem Dresden's opera Le Testament de Villon. In October 1982 she sang in Bizet's opera Carmen opposite Marco Bakker as Escamilo and Roberta Alexander as Micaela. Canne Meijer's final Dutch National Opera performance was as Bianca in Benjamin Britten's The Rape of Lucretia in November 1986, following the move of the company to Waterlooplein from Leidseplein. Following her retirement from the stage, she worked as a vocal teacher at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. In March 1996, she played the part of the blind Madelon in the Umberto Giordano opera Andrea Chénier at The Matinee on the Free Saturday. Canne Meijer's final stage performance was as Zita in Giacomo Puccini's Gianni Schicchi at Vredenburg in 1999.

A CD box set entitled The Art Of Cora Canne Meijer In Opera of live performances and radio broadcasts of her from 1956 to 1981 was released by Gala. She was a jury member of international vocal competitions.

Personal life She was married to the horn player Gerhard Patriasz. There was one son of the marriage and Canne Meijer was stepmother to Patriasz's daughter from a previous marriage. She died at the Rosa Spier Huis in Laren on 25 August 2020. Canne Meijer's cremation was held in private.

Recognition She was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1973.