Gilles Potvin
Encyclopedia
Gilles Potvin was a Canadian music critic and music historian. He was a music critic for Le Devoir
(1961-66, 1973-85) and La Presse (1966-70). From 1970-1976 he served as the editor of The Canada Music Book and from 1976-1980 he was President of the Jeunesses musicales du Canada. He was notably the co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada; also contributing more than 300 articles to that publication. He was a leading authority on the life and career of soprano
Emma Albani
and he translated the singer's autobiography into the French language (published 1972). For many years he wrote program notes for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
(MSO), and in 1984 he published a history of the MSO in the year of that orchestra's 50th anniversary.
For 42 years Potvin worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
in a variety of roles, including record librarian, music consultant, producer, and head of music production for Radio Canada International
. He also served as chief editor of the Anthology of Canadian Music collection compiled by the CBC. In 1949 founded the Minute Opera which performed chamber opera
s in Montréal for five seasons.
Potivin was the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In 1983 he was awarded the Calixa-Lavallée Award
and in 1984 he was made both a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
and a Member of the Order of Canada
. In 1987 he received the Canadian Music Council Medal and in 1990 he was made an honorary member of the Canadian Music Centre
. He married soprano Micheline Tessier in 1960.
Le Devoir
Le Devoir is a French-language newspaper published in Montreal and distributed in Quebec and the rest of Canada. It was founded by journalist, politician, and nationalist Henri Bourassa in 1910....
(1961-66, 1973-85) and La Presse (1966-70). From 1970-1976 he served as the editor of The Canada Music Book and from 1976-1980 he was President of the Jeunesses musicales du Canada. He was notably the co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada; also contributing more than 300 articles to that publication. He was a leading authority on the life and career of soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Emma Albani
Emma Albani
Dame Emma Albani DBE was a leading soprano of the 19th century and early 20th century, and the first Canadian singer to become an international star. Her repertoire focused on the operas of Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini and Wagner...
and he translated the singer's autobiography into the French language (published 1972). For many years he wrote program notes for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is a symphony orchestra based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, with Montréal's Place des Arts as its home.-History:...
(MSO), and in 1984 he published a history of the MSO in the year of that orchestra's 50th anniversary.
For 42 years Potvin worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
in a variety of roles, including record librarian, music consultant, producer, and head of music production for Radio Canada International
Radio Canada International
Radio Canada International is the international broadcasting service of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . Until 1970, it was known as the CBC International Service and was sometimes referred to as the "Voice of Canada" in its early years.- The early years :The idea for creating an...
. He also served as chief editor of the Anthology of Canadian Music collection compiled by the CBC. In 1949 founded the Minute Opera which performed chamber opera
Chamber opera
Chamber opera is a designation for operas written to be performed with a chamber ensemble rather than a full orchestra.The term and form were invented by Benjamin Britten in the 1940s, when the English Opera Group needed works that could easily be taken on tour and performed in a variety of small...
s in Montréal for five seasons.
Potivin was the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In 1983 he was awarded the Calixa-Lavallée Award
Calixa-Lavallée Award
The Calixa-Lavallée Award is a music award created in 1959. It is granted by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal to a Quebecer having distinguished himself or herself in the field of music...
and in 1984 he was made both a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
and a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. In 1987 he received the Canadian Music Council Medal and in 1990 he was made an honorary member of the Canadian Music Centre
Canadian Music Centre
The Canadian Music Centre holds Canada's largest collection of Canadian concert music. The CMC exists to promote the works of its Associate Composers in Canada and around the world....
. He married soprano Micheline Tessier in 1960.