Birth

:

February 28, 1929 in Matane, Canada

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Joseph Rouleau was a Canadian bass opera singer who was born on February 28, 1929, in Matane, Quebec. He was the youngest of 11 children in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Rouleau's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he began singing in his church choir at the age of six. Rouleau's formal musical education began at the age of 16 when he enrolled in the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal. He studied under the renowned bass-baritone Martial Singher, who recognized Rouleau's talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in opera. Rouleau continued his studies in New York City at the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied with the legendary basso Jerome Hines. Rouleau made his professional debut in 1955 with the Montreal Opera as Colline in Puccini's La bohème. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence. In 1956, he made his debut with the Canadian Opera Company as Ramfis in Verdi's Aida. He went on to perform with many of the world's leading opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Paris Opera. One of Rouleau's most memorable performances was in 1960 when he sang the role of Boris Godunov in the Canadian Opera Company's production of Mussorgsky's opera. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and Rouleau's portrayal of the troubled Tsar was widely praised. He went on to perform the role many times throughout his career, including at the Metropolitan Opera in 1974. Rouleau was also known for his performances in French opera, particularly the works of Jules Massenet. He sang the role of King Arkel in Massenet's Pelléas et Mélisande at the Royal Opera House in London in 1969, and he performed the role of Don Quichotte in Massenet's opera of the same name at the Paris Opera in 1970. Throughout his career, Rouleau received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of opera. In 1967, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, and in 1981, he was promoted to Companion, the highest level of the order. He was also awarded the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 1991. Rouleau retired from performing in 1995 but continued to be involved in the world of opera as a teacher and mentor. He taught at the Université de Montréal and the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, and he was a founding member of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal, a training program for young opera singers. Joseph Rouleau passed away on July 12, 2019, at the age of 90. He was remembered by his colleagues and fans as a towering figure in the world of opera, with a voice that was both powerful and expressive. His legacy lives on through the many singers he inspired and the recordings of his performances that continue to be cherished by opera lovers around the world.

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