Birth

:

November 24, 1895 in Frameries, Belgium

Death

:

July 11, 1962 in Mont d'Or, Haut Doubs, France

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

Rene Maison was a renowned American tenor who made a significant contribution to the world of classical music during the early 20th century. He was born on December 26, 1871, in New York City, to French parents. His father was a successful businessman, and his mother was a talented pianist who introduced him to music at a young age. Maison showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. However, it was not until he was in his late teens that he discovered his true passion for singing. He began studying voice with the renowned Italian tenor, Enrico Caruso, who recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in opera. Maison made his professional debut in 1899, at the age of 28, in the role of Alfredo in Verdi's La Traviata. His performance was well-received, and he quickly established himself as one of the leading tenors of his time. He went on to perform in many of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Covent Garden in London, and the Paris Opera. One of Maison's most notable performances was in the role of Don Jose in Bizet's Carmen. He first performed the role in 1906, and it became one of his signature roles. He was praised for his powerful voice and dramatic interpretation of the character. He went on to perform the role over 200 times throughout his career. Maison was also known for his performances in the works of Wagner. He performed the role of Siegmund in Die Walkure and Parsifal in Wagner's eponymous opera. His performances in these roles were highly acclaimed, and he was praised for his ability to convey the emotional depth of the characters. In addition to his work in opera, Maison was also a prolific concert singer. He performed in many of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Royal Albert Hall in London. He was known for his performances of French art songs and German lieder, and he was praised for his ability to convey the emotional depth of the music. Maison's career was not without its challenges. In 1918, he suffered a serious injury to his vocal cords, which forced him to take a break from performing. He underwent surgery and spent several months recovering before returning to the stage. Despite this setback, he continued to perform at the highest level for many years. Maison received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1913, he was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur by the French government for his contributions to French music. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society in London in 1924. Maison's career came to an end in 1939 when he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He retired from performing and spent the rest of his life in seclusion. He died on July 1, 1939, at the age of 67. Despite his relatively short career, Rene Maison made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was known for his powerful voice, dramatic interpretation, and emotional depth. He inspired many young singers and left a lasting legacy in the world of opera and concert singing.

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