René Jacobs (born 30 October 1946) is a Belgian musician. He came to fame as a countertenor, but later in his career he became known as a conductorofbaroque and classical opera.
Born in Ghent, Jacobs began his musical career as a boy chorister at the Cathedral. Later he studied classical philology at the University of Ghent while continuing to sing in Brussels and in The Hague.
As a conductor, Jacobs recorded numerous operas and sacred and secular works of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. His recording of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is especially renowned, having won such awards as Gramophone's Record of the Year for 2004, Le Monde de la musique'sChoc of the Year for 2004, a Grammy Award for "Best Opera recording of 2005", and two Midem Classical Awards in 2004. Other award-winning recordings include George Frideric Handel's Rinaldo (Cannes Classical Award, 2004), and Joseph Haydn's The Seasons (Diapason d’Or of 2005). The partial discography below lists some of the many other awards won by Jacobs' recordings.
Marc-Antoine Charpentier : 3 Leçons de Ténèbres du Mercredy Sainct, H.96, H.97, H.98, 3 Réponsdu Mercrediy Sainct, H.111, H.112, H.113, 3 Leçons de Ténèbres du Jeudy Sainct, H.102, H.103, H.109, Judith Nelson, Concerto Vocale (recorded 08/1977 and 01/1978) 3 LP Harmonia Mundi HM 1005/6/7
Marc-Antoine Charpentier : 3 Leçons de Ténèbres du Vendredy Sainct, H.105, H.106, H.110, 6 Répons du Mercredy Sainct. H.114.H.115, H.116, H.117, H.118, H.119, Judith Nelson, Concerto Vocale (Volume 2, recorded 01/1978 and 01/1979) 2 LP Harmonia Mundi HM 1008/09
Marc-Antoine Charpentier : Motets à voix seule et à 2 voix,Judith Nelson, Concerto Vocale. CD Harmonia Mundi 1984 HMC 901149
François Couperin: 3 Leçons de Ténèbres, Concerto Vocale. CD Harmonia Mundi 1984
Marc-Antoine Charpentier : David et Jonathas H.490, (La Pythonisse), English Bach Festival Orchestra, conducted by Michel Corboz – 2 CD Erato 1982 report 2010.
Georg Friedrich Händel: Alessandro with Sophie Boulin, Isabelle Poulenard, Jean Nirouët, Stephen Varcoe, Guy de Mey, Ria Bollen, and La Petite Bande conducted by Sigiswald Kuijken – 4 LP Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 1985
Georg Friedrich Händel: Partenope with Krisztina Laki, John York Skinner, Helga Müller-Molinari, Stephen Varcoe, Martyn Hill, and La Petite Bande conducted by Sigiswald Kuijken – 4 LP Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 1979
Mozart – Così fan tutte (Cannes Classical Awards; Diapason d'or; Edison Classical Music Award)
Mozart – Le nozze di Figaro (awards: 47th Grammy Award; Choc du Monde de la Musique; Edison Classical Music Award; Gramophone Record of the Year 2004; Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik
Mozart – La clemenza di Tito (awards: Critics award at the Brits Classics 2007; 10 de Classica-Répertoire; Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik; Un événement Télérama (ffff)
Mozart – Don Giovanni (awards: Gramophone Record of the Month, October 2007; Classics Today 10/10)
Mozart – Symphonies Nos. 38 and 41 (awards: 10 de Classica-Répertoire; Diapason d'Or Arte)
Mozart – Idomeneo (awards: Scherzo, Choc de Classica, Un événement Télérama (ffff)
^International record review 2 2001 "If Rene Jacobs has one overriding talent as a conductor, then it is the ability to coach his singers to breathe life into recitatives. They do so magnificently in both operas, with marvellous performances from Judith Nelson and Isabelle Poulenard"
