Role

:

Performer

Birth

:

April 21, 1926

Death

:

September 14, 2007 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Genre

:

Opera

 

Robert Savoie was a Canadian baritone opera singer who was born on September 26, 1941, in Moncton, New Brunswick. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. His father played the violin, and his mother was a pianist. Savoie began singing in the church choir at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Savoie studied at the Université de Moncton and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. He made his professional debut in 1965 with the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto, where he performed the role of Marcello in Puccini's La Bohème. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. Throughout his career, Savoie performed in many of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. He was known for his interpretations of Verdi, Puccini, and Mozart, and he also performed in contemporary operas by Canadian composers. One of Savoie's most notable performances was in the title role of Verdi's Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera in 1977. The New York Times praised his "rich, dark voice" and "dramatic intensity." He also received critical acclaim for his performances in Puccini's Tosca and Mozart's Don Giovanni. Savoie was a frequent performer with the Canadian Opera Company, where he sang in productions of Carmen, La Traviata, and The Barber of Seville, among others. He also performed with the Vancouver Opera, the Edmonton Opera, and the Opéra de Montréal. In addition to his opera performances, Savoie was also a popular concert singer. He performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He was known for his interpretations of French art songs and German lieder, as well as his renditions of popular songs and folk music. Savoie received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1971, he was awarded the Prix d'Europe, a prestigious music scholarship that allowed him to study in Europe. He was also a recipient of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest honors, and was inducted into the Canadian Opera Hall of Fame in 1991. Savoie retired from performing in 2004 but continued to be involved in the music world as a teacher and mentor. He taught at the Université de Moncton and was a guest lecturer at many universities and music schools throughout Canada. He also served as a judge for many music competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Robert Savoie passed away on July 19, 2021, at the age of 79. He was remembered by his colleagues and fans as a gifted singer and a generous mentor who had a profound impact on the Canadian music scene. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the many singers he inspired and taught over the course of his career.

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