*** Photo supplied by the World Health Organisation (WHO) ***
By Staff Reporter
WHO is delighted to announce the appointment of internationally acclaimed artists Renée Fleming and Pretty Yende as Goodwill Ambassadors for Arts and Health. This prestigious announcement was made as part of WHO’s 75th Anniversary commemoration during the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly on 22 May 2023.
Renée Fleming, one of the most celebrated singers of our time, and Pretty Yende, an extraordinary soprano known for her dazzling performances, have been selected for their artistic achievement and advocacy for improved health outcomes through creative means. On 8 April 2023, Fleming and Yende performed for a special concert titled Healing Arts, dedicated to WHO’s 75th anniversary in Geneva, Switzerland.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said, “WHO is honoured to have Renée Fleming and Pretty Yende join as Goodwill Ambassadors for Arts and Health. Their unparalleled talent, dedication to the arts, and commitment to advancing health and well-being make them ideal ambassadors for this important cause. Their involvement will inspire individuals, communities and policy-makers to recognize and harness the transformative power of the arts in the pursuit of better health for all.”
Fleming brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. She has captivated audiences worldwide with her luminous soprano voice and compelling artistry. Beyond her remarkable vocal talent, Fleming has been a fervent advocate for research at the intersection of the arts and health. Her presentations worldwide with scientists and practitioners, her leading role in major initiatives, and her association with WHO demonstrate her commitment to harnessing the transformative power of the arts to better society.
“I am elated that the preeminent global health agency is recognizing the powerful impact of the arts in health, and I am deeply honoured to be entrusted to share this message,” said Fleming. “Every day, advances in neuroscience and clinical research reveal more about the benefits of arts therapies, experiences, and education, with implications for well-being throughout the human life span. However, we have only just begun to realize the amazing potential of this work, and I look forward to expanding awareness and access as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador.”
Pretty Yende has mesmerized audiences with her exquisite voice and stunning performances. As a soprano with a deep understanding of the power of music, she has demonstrated her commitment to using her talent to improve society. Yende’s passion for sharing the healing aspects of music and her dedication to social causes align perfectly with WHO’s Arts and Health agenda.
Born in South Africa, Pretty Yende reached the top of her opera career with extraordinary speed and quickly became one of the brightest stars in the music world. After her debut at the Latvian National Theater in Riga as Micaëla in Carmen, she performed in all major international theatres, including the Royal Opera House, the Opéra National de Paris, the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, La Scala, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Staatsoper Berlin, the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, the Wiener Staatsoper, the Opernhaus Zürich and the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.
In 2022, Ms Yende returned to the Royal Opera House to star in her signature role of Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata and Norina in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. She reprised Violetta at the Wiener Staatsoper and Elvira in Bellini’s I Puritani. Additionally, she debuted as Olympia, Antonia, Giulietta, and Stella in Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann at Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.
Recent successes include her Metropolitan debut as Countess Adèle in Le Comte Ory, followed by Maria in La Fille du Régiment, and roles like Rosina, Adina, Lucia, Juliette, Elvira and Pamina. She made her debut at the Opéra National de Paris as Rosina Il Barbiere di Siviglia, followed by a new production of La Traviata staged by Simon Stone in which she returned as Lucia di Lammermoor. She was also Norina in Barcelona, Micaëla and Susanna at the LA Opera, Elvira at the Opernhaus Zürich, Countess Adèle and Musetta at the “La Scala” and Teresa in “Benvenuto Cellini” by Berlioz in Paris, to name a few. Highlights on the concert stage include her Carnegie Hall recital and concerts in Austria, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
Ms Yende received an award from the South African government, ‘The Order of Ikhamanga in Silver’ for her achievements in the world of opera and for serving as a role model to aspiring young musicians. More recently, she was a recipient of the Italian Knighthood, Ordine Stella d’Italia for her work in building extraordinary relations between Italy and other countries, making her the youngest South African ever awarded this accolade. In 2022, she was honoured an order “Officer of Arts and Letters” by the French Minister of Culture to recognize her contribution to the arts in France and worldwide.
On 6 May 2023, Ms Yende performed at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey.
Yende said about her appointment: “I am delighted to be appointed a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts and Health. I hope to help establish a foundation for continued investigation into the arts being a fundamental ingredient in improving our physical, mental, and social well-being. I am grateful to WHO for paving the way for new research and providing their global platform to spread the word and generate research on the connection of arts and health.
“I look forward to all the possibilities to do essential work in my native South Africa and globally for a better and healthier tomorrow,” added Yende.
The appointments of Fleming and Yende underscore the profound link between arts and health. Engagement in creative activities, such as music, art, and dance, positively impacts physical, mental health, social well-being, and overall quality of life. Through their roles as Goodwill Ambassadors, Fleming and Yende will promote the integration of arts into health-care systems, advocate for access to creative arts therapies, and champion the importance of artistic expression in improving health outcomes globally.