1940 - 2026
José van Dam Belgian Opera singer
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Rest in Peace José van Dam.
Passed away on 17th February, 2026 aged 85.
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José van Dam is a member of the following lists: Grammy Award winners, 1940 births and Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
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Details
| First Name |
José
|
| Middle Name |
Van
|
| Last Name |
Dam
|
| Birthday |
25th August, 1940
|
| Birthplace |
Brussels, Belgium
|
| Died |
17th February, 2026
|
| Zodiac Sign |
Virgo
|
| Nationality |
Belgian
|
| Occupation |
Opera singer
|
Joseph, Baron Van Damme (25 August 1940 – 17 February 2026), known as José van Dam, was a Belgian bass-baritone, described as having "a magnificent resonant and expressive voice" and being "an excellent actor". 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.
