José van Dam
Belgian bass-baritone opera singer (1940-2026) · Belgium · On the map · Musicians · Died at 85
Joseph, Baron Van Damme, known as José van Dam, was a Belgian bass-baritone, described as having "a magnificent resonant and expressive voice" and being "an excellent actor".
José van Dam is read about 72 times a day, in 22 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 18 June 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?A life in dates
People around José
Close ties
- André Delvaux Directed Babel Opera, or the Rehearsal of Don Juan (1985)
Joseph Losey Directed Don Giovanni (1980)
Alexandra Vandernoot Also in Babel Opera, or the Rehearsal of Don Juan (1985)
Gérard Corbiau Directed The Music Teacher (1988)
Sylvain Cambreling Wrote Babel Opera, or the Rehearsal of Don Juan (1985)
Michel Seydoux Produced Don Giovanni (1982)- François Beukelaers Also in Babel Opera, or the Rehearsal of Don Juan (1985)
Also in Deutsch
Media & music
Awards
About this person
Beginning at the Paris Opera, he made an international career, especially in the French repertoire; Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen was an early signature role that he took to La Scala in Milan and the Royal Opera House in London. He performed the title role of Messiaen's Saint François d'Assise in the 1983 world premiere at the Paris Opera. He performed regularly at the Salzburg Festival and made several recordings with Herbert von Karajan that are regarded as reference recordings. In film, he portrayed Leporello in the 1979 opera film Don Giovanni, directed by Joseph Losey and conducted by Lorin Maazel. He served as master of the singing section at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel from 2004 to 2023.
