François Le Roux

François Le Roux is one of France’s most renowned classical singers. He has set new standards in his flagship role in Debussy’s opera Pelléas et Mélisande. His vast repertoire comprises all of the baritone roles in Mozart operas, as well as a great number of roles in Italian opera, Baroque opera, and contemporary musical theater. In artsong recitals his stage partners include renowned pianists such as Graham Johnson, Roger Vignoles, and the late Irwin Gage. In 1996, François Le Roux was named Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres; in 1997, the Circle of French Music Critics selected him as Musician Personality of the Year. His book Le chant intime on the subject of French artsong interpretation was awarded the 2004 René Dumesnil Prize of the French Academy of the Arts. Parallel to his career onstage, Le Roux is deeply committed in passing on his art and his knowledge to the younger generation of singers. He has been teaching at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Maurice Ravel Academy since 2006. He gives masterclasses on a regular basis worldwide and is artistic director of the Francis Poulenc Academy in Tours. 2018 marked the third occasion upon which François Le Roux performed at the Ruhr Piano Festival.