Belgian music world bids farewell to opera legend José van Dam

On Monday, a final tribute was paid to the late opera singer José van Dam in Brussels' Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. The cathedral was filled to capacity, and extra chairs had to be added for all those who wanted to pay their last respects to the bass-baritone. Princess Claire was also among those in attendance. The world-renowned Belgian singer died on 17 February at the age of 85.

The ceremony was accompanied by compositions by Bach, Fauré, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Schubert, Mahler and Schumann. Several prominent figures from the Belgian music world were present, including Bernard Foccroulle, Augustin Dumay and Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden. The orchestra and choir of La Monnaie and artists associated with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel also participated. The ceremony was further complemented by testimonials.

José van Dam was born in Ixelles on 25 August 1940 and studied at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. He built an impressive international career that took him to the world's greatest opera houses, from Paris and Berlin to La Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, via amongst others Vienna and London.

In 1998, he was ennobled with the title of baron. Since 2004, he had been closely associated with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, where he first led the vocal section as a teacher and later received the title of “maître emeritus”.

^{Farewell ceremony for Belgian opera singer Jose van Dam © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK & © BELGA VIDEO JEROME FETU}