Curriculum Vitae
Papalexiou Marissia
Mezzo Soprano
Mezzo Soprano Marissia Papalexiou was born in Athens and studied Law at the University of Athens. In 1996 she started her musical studies at the Conservatory of Athens (vocal classes of Kiki Morfoniou and melodrama classes of Kostas Paskalis), from where she graduated in June 2002, with unanimous A (excellent) and the “In memoriam of Philippos Nakas” Award.
From May 2000 to May 2003 she was member of The National Opera staff, during which period she also participated in concerts and recitals, while she performed as a soloist in productions of Athens Megaron such as R.Strauss’ Die Frau ohne Shatten (Danish National Symphony Orchestra/DR, conductor Michael Schoenwandt), and of Thessaloniki Megaron, in G.Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (National Symphony Orchestra of Thessaloniki, conductor Marcello Panni). She also participated in seminars organised by Ghena Dimitrova and Elisabeth Vidal.
In 2003 she left Athens in order to continue her studies in Paris with Εlisabeth Vidal, Michel Comande, Μarie Therese Keller and Gerard Chapuis. The landmark in her musical studies and development, though, was her acquaintance with mezzo soprano Jane Henschel, whom she followed to Germany (Dusseldorf), and is still studying with her.
In she participated in opera performances such as Die Zauberfloete of W.A.Mozart, and L'enfant et les Sortileges of M.Ravel, she also gave recitals interpreting lider, cooperated as a soloist in concerts (Requiem and Kroenungsmesse W.A.Mozart, The Messiah G.F.Haendel, Gloria and Magnificat A.Vivaldi, Stabat Mater G.B.Pergolesi, Nelsonmesse J.Haydn), and worked with several conductors, namely, Paul Kuentz, Jean-Yves Gaudin, Olivier Grangean.
In June and September 2006 she successfully appeared in the Festival of Nice in South France, interpreting the role of Carmen in G. Bizet’s Carmen under the musical direction of Francois Magnier.
In 2008 she collaborated with the Opera of Thessaloniki, in the role of Flora in La Traviata, under the musical direction of Loukas Karytinos, and she interpreted (world first premiere) seven one-act operas during a competition of composition and direction within the framework of the festival Pais Opera (conductor Constantia Gourzi).
In 2009 she returned to Athens and interpreted the role of Maddalena in G.Verdi’s Rigoletto (conductor Elias Voudouris), and the role of Suzuki in G.Puccini’s Madama Butterfly under the musical direction of Loukas Karytinos.