Emma Shapplin is the stage name of Crystèle Joliton. A daughter of a policeman and secretary, she grew up in a suburb of Paris with two brothers. At home no one listened to classical music. A TV commercial featuring the famous aria of the Queen of the Night stirred up the then fourteen-year-old Joliton. Through friends she met a local singing teacher, who taught her for a year. Her passion was
… aroused and she spent all her free time studying singing, until her parents had had enough after a year: a serious job as a secretary was much better, wasn't it? Yet Joliton did not forget her dream. After several jobs she turned to the French ex-rocker and all-round artist-composer Jean-Patrick Capdevielle. After some singing training she sang in his opera Carmine Meo. Under Joliton's diva name Emma Shapplin, the album Carmine Meo was released in 1998 and became a worldwide success. Since then, the French high soprano has been able to continue on its own: the album Etterna (2002) contains its own compositions, sometimes written together with Graeme Revell. The music remains in the style of ambient, new-age with beats but also with classical influences by choir and orchestra. Vocal-wise Joliton seems to be getting better and the music is melodic and atmospheric. (SvdP) Vocal-wise Joliton seems to be getting better and the music is melodic and atmospheric. (SvdP) Vocal-wise Joliton seems to be getting better and the music is melodic and atmospheric. (SvdP)more
