Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Huguette Tourangeau was a Canadian mezzo-soprano who was born on August 12, 1938, in Montreal, Quebec. She was the daughter of a French-Canadian father and an Irish mother. Tourangeau grew up in a musical family, and her parents encouraged her to pursue a career in music. She began singing at a young age and studied at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal. Tourangeau made her professional debut in 1963 with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, singing the role of Cherubino in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. She quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and expressive performances. In 1965, she won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, which launched her career in the United States. Tourangeau made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1966, singing the role of Stephano in Gounod's Romeo and Juliet. She went on to perform many other roles at the Met, including Dorabella in Mozart's Così fan tutte, Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, and Octavian in Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier. She was known for her rich, warm voice and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. Tourangeau also performed with many other opera companies around the world, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Paris Opera, and the Vienna State Opera. She was a frequent guest artist at the Canadian Opera Company, where she sang many of her signature roles. In addition to her opera performances, Tourangeau was also a sought-after concert artist. She performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. She was particularly known for her performances of French art songs and oratorios. Tourangeau received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1972, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. She was also awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1992. Tourangeau retired from performing in 1998, after a career that spanned more than three decades. She continued to be involved in the music world, however, serving as a judge for many singing competitions and teaching master classes. She also recorded several albums of French art songs and opera arias. Tourangeau passed away on April 21, 2018, at the age of 79. She was remembered as one of Canada's greatest opera singers, with a voice that was both powerful and expressive. Her legacy lives on through her recordings and the many singers she inspired and mentored throughout her career.

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