Birth

:

June 12, 1851

Death

:

August 11, 1914

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Pol Plançon was a French bass opera singer who was born on June 12, 1851, in Roanne, France. He was the son of a shoemaker and grew up in a musical family. His father played the violin, and his mother sang in the church choir. Plançon showed an early interest in music and began singing in the church choir at the age of six. Plançon's musical talent was recognized early on, and he was sent to study at the Paris Conservatory at the age of 16. He studied under the famous bass singer Jean-Blaise Martin and quickly became one of his star pupils. Plançon's deep, rich voice and impeccable technique soon caught the attention of the Paris Opera, and he was offered a contract to sing with the company. Plançon made his debut at the Paris Opera in 1879, singing the role of the King in "Le Cid" by Jules Massenet. He quickly became one of the most popular singers at the Paris Opera, and his performances were always eagerly anticipated by audiences. Plançon's voice was particularly well-suited to the roles of the basso profundo, and he became known for his powerful, resonant voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. Over the course of his career, Plançon performed in many of the great opera houses of Europe and North America. He sang at the Royal Opera House in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, among others. He was particularly renowned for his performances in the operas of Giuseppe Verdi, and he sang the role of King Philip in "Don Carlos" more than 200 times. Plançon was also a prolific recording artist, and he made many recordings of his performances. His recordings of Verdi's "Don Carlos" and "Aida" are particularly well-regarded, and they are still considered some of the best recordings of these operas. Throughout his career, Plançon received many honors and awards for his contributions to classical music. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1895, and he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown by the King of Belgium in 1900. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in London in 1906. Despite his many accomplishments, Plançon remained humble and dedicated to his craft throughout his life. He continued to perform well into his 60s, and he was still singing professionally at the age of 70. He died on August 11, 1914, in Château-Thierry, France, at the age of 63. Today, Pol Plançon is remembered as one of the greatest bass opera singers of all time. His powerful voice and emotional performances continue to inspire and move audiences around the world, and his recordings remain some of the most beloved in the classical music canon.

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