Robert Savoie,OC (April 21, 1927 – September 14, 2007) was aFrench-Canadian operaticbaritone.[1][2]
Savoie was born inMontreal. He studied for five years withPauline Donalda, and made his debut in 1948 with the Montreal Opera Guild, as the second PhilistineinSamson et Dalila. For the next four years he sang secondary roles with that company. He then studied in Milan, Italy, with AntonioNarducci, and made his European debut there at the Teatro Nuovo, as Scarpia inTosca.
After returning to Montréal in 1954, Savoie pursued a career on radio andtelevision, as well as with the Opera Guild, singing roles such as; Rodrigo inDon Carlos, Figaro inLe nozze di Figaro andIl barbiere di Siviglia, Leporello inDon Giovanni, Marcello inLa bohème, Sharpless inMadama Butterfly, etc. He also appeared inQuébec City, Ottawa, and at theStratford Festival. In 1961, Savoie signed a five-year contract with theRoyal Opera House in London, making his debut there as Schaunard inLa Bohème, and then singing the title role inRigoletto. He also appeared with theSadler's Wells and theScottish Opera in Glasgow. Healso performed throughout France, in a touring production ofMassenet' sDon Quichotte, opposite fellow countryman,Joseph Rouleau.He sang in theBBC production ofVerdi's original French version ofDon Carlos (recorded 1972, broadcast 1973) with Rouleau, andAndré Turp.
In America, Savoie appeared in 1971, asFalstaff (opera) at the inauguration of theJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. He performed in 1972, inLa Damnation de Faust, atCarnegie Hall.
Beginning in 1981, Savoie performed mainly in recital, and began giving master classes, notably at theYale School of Music. He was appointed an Officer of theOrder of Canada in 2002. He died in Montreal.
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