The Paris Opera pays tribute to the memory of baritone Robert Massard, a major figure in opera and one of the great voices of the House, who passed away at the age of 100.

Hired by Georges Hirsch at the Paris Opera in 1951, Robert Massard took on the great baritone roles that would mark his career, from Valentin (Faust) to Escamillo (Carmen), from Rodrigo (Don Carlo) to the High Priest (Samson and Delilah), not to mention Lescaut (Manon) and Herr von Faninal (Der Rosenkavalier). A member of the company from 1951 to 1978, he helped shape the artistic standards and vocal identity of the Paris Opera in the second half of the 20th century.

While the beauty of his timbre took him to the world's greatest stages, it was above all his artistic sincerity that made him stand out: with his rigorous technique and unanimously acclaimed diction, each musical phrase was embodied in a clear dramatic gesture, always in the service of the work and the text.

Robert Massard inspired deep respect, both from his peers and from young artists. Through his generosity in passing on his knowledge, he embodied a professional ethic that has left a lasting mark on several generations of singers. An attentive teacher after his retirement from the stage, he pursued this mission with rigor and kindness.

His legacy will continue to resonate through numerous benchmark recordings and will remain alive in the memory of today's artists.