Sophie Koch

Sophie Koch (born 19 February 1969) is a French operatic mezzo-soprano who made an international career, performing Rosina in Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia at the Royal Opera House, the Composer in Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss at the Semperoper in Dresden, and Charlotte in Massenet's Werther at the Paris Opera, among others. Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss became her signature role. She has also performed in concert and recital, and made recordings.

Early life Koch was born in Versailles. Her family is from Alsace-Lorraine, and her great-grandfather was German. Koch became interested in music at an early age. She started playing the piano at the age of 7, studied it for 15 years and also sang in a choir. She began performing in operas at age 11. Her mastery of the Italian and English languages is precious to her, although she sings mainly in French and German.

Recordings CDs Lieder by Schubert and Wolf, label: Chants du monde Mélodies by Fauré, Chausson and Respighi, label: Chants du monde R. Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos (Composer), Semperoper, 1999 Arthaus Mozart: Così fan tutte (Dorabella), Salzburg Festival, 2006 Deutsche Grammophon R. Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier (Octavian), Baden-Baden Festival, 2009 Decca Massenet: Werther (Charlotte), Paris, 2010 Decca Werther, Paris Opera, Paris, 2010 (live) Ariadne auf Naxos, Baden-Baden, 2013 Decca Deutsche Grammophon Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmélites, Paris, 2013 Erato Records Der Rosenkavalier, Salzburg Festival, 2014 C Major