Who was Lourdes Ambriz? Mexican artist who voiced Belle in Beauty and the Beast passes away at 67

Lourdes Ambriz Márquez, best known as the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast, has passed away. Latin Times has reported that the Mexican soprano, known for serving as the voice of the princess in its Spanish version, succumbed to a battle with cancer. Codalario has reported that she also had an expansive lyrical career, having held the roles of Susanna, Despina, Zerlina, and Pamina, among others.

Born in Mexico City on July 20, 1958, Lourdes Ambriz made her debut with the National Opera Company of the National Institute of Fine Arts in 1982. At the time, she portrayed Olympia in Los cuentos de Hoffman.

She eventually went on to work with several orchestras in Mexico, and is even credited with working with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony, the National Center of the Arts of Canada Orchestra, the Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Venezuela, and the German Chamber Academy.

Lourdes Ambriz's life and legacy explored as those who knew her pay their respects:

Platea Magazine has reported that, although Lourdes Ambriz toured Spain with the group Solistas de México, which was being conducted by Eduardo Mata, in 1990, it was her contribution as Belle's voice that year that solidified her fame.

The following year, she made her debut in Europe when she played Marina at the Malaga Opera, and by 1992, she began her tour that would eventually span twelve countries on the continent. She also held stints in South America in 1993, the United States in 1995, and back again to South America in 1996, with the Ars Nova ensemble.

Later in her life, from October 2015 to December 2017, she served as the Artistic Director of the Opera of Fine Arts of Mexico. Furthermore, she had several accolades to her name, including the National Youth Award in 1987, the Mozart Medal in 2006, the Alfonso Ortiz Draw Medal in 2023, and the Fine Arts Medal in 2024. The latter is one of the highest honors one can get in Mexico.

The former Director of the Opera of Fine Arts, Gerardo Kleinburg, has since offered his condolences, per Codalario:

"Enormous sadness. Lourdes Ambriz has died. A splendid singer and best artist and best person. Susanna, Despina, Zerlina and Pamina, among others, during my period as Director of the Opera of Fine Arts. Rest in peace, dear Lourdes."

Tenor Leonardo Villeda, who also knew her, said of her legacy:

"Today closes a chapter in the history of Mexican Music. Goodbye Lourdes Ambriz a talented, beautiful, honest, splendid woman as a musician, an exceptional human being, a very educated woman, a true Queen... today the sky is celebrating and we lost an immeasurable Artist and an extraordinary woman... leaving a hole in the music of our country, .. and in the hearts of those who knew her..."

In a post on X, the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature has also honored the loss of talent:

"The National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature deeply regrets the sensitive passing of soprano Lourdes Ambriz, an essential figure in Mexican lyric art, recognized for an extensive repertoire that spanned opera, oratorio, chamber music, Renaissance, and contemporary works. With an international career spanning more than four decades, she performed on stages in Europe, America, Africa, and the Middle East," their post began.

"She was a member of the artistic group Soloist Singers of Fine Arts and received the 2023 Fine Arts Medal in Music, the highest distinction awarded by this institution, in recognition of her career and contributions to music. We express our most heartfelt condolences to her family, colleagues, and the artistic community for this irreparable loss."

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