Jules Bastin

Jules Bastin was an internationally renowned Belgian operatic bass (voice), who performed the world over with world stars casts.

He began his career as a teacher of German, French and history before turning to professional singing. Along with José Van Dam and other greats, he studied with Frédéric Anspach. After becoming successful in opera, he continued to teach music at the ROYAL MUSIC CONSERVATORY in Brussels.

He made his debut in 1960 at LA MONNAIE opera house in Brussels, singing Charon in L’”Orfeo”.

He appeared at major opera houses throughout Europe, including the ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, LA SCALA, and the PALAIS GARNIER; he also performed at many opera houses in North, and South America.

He was known for playing roles from a variety of operatic traditions, from Monteverdi to Berg, but was perhaps most famous for singing the comic role of Ochs in Richard Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier.”

Jules Bastin’s powerful and multi-faceted singing was featured on more than 40 recordings (LPs/CDs).

He passed away on December 2, 1996 of heart failure. He was 64 years old.

“Then there was Jules Bastin, as Mephistopheles. Mr. Bastin, a basso at the Paris Opera, not only has a fine, sonorous, commanding voice, he also is an intelligent singer, with flawless diction and an unfailing sense of phrase. He is a singer who knows how to act with his voice: a sardonic inflection here, a throaty growl there, and the character was firmly set. For Mr. Bastin the evening was a triumph.” Harol Schönberg, New York Times about “La Damnation de Faust” in May 1979 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. – Daniel Barenboim conductor, feat. a.o. Stuart Burrows, Jules Bastin and Jessye Norman.

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