Fran�ois Le Roux is a French baritone. Le Roux began vocal studies at 19 with Fran�ois Loup, winning prizes in Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro. He was a member of the Lyon Opera Company from 1980 to 1985, before appearing in many international houses, making his Paris Op�ra debut in 1988 as Valentin in Gounod's Faust. He is most renowned for his portrayal of Pell�as in Debussy's opera, first singing the role in 1985 and being hailed by critics as "the greatest Pell�as of his generation". Since 1998 he has also sung Golaud in the same opera to similar acclaim. It was as Golaud he sang in the centenary performance at the Op�ra-Comique, and also in the Russian national premiere. As well as a vast operatic repertory, he has released many recitals of French song, which have earned him the distinction as G�rard Souzay's natural successor. His book, Le chant intime, on the interpretation of French song, won the 2004 Ren� Dumesnil Award by the French National Acad�mie des Beaux Arts. He has been awarded the grade of "Chevalier" in the French National Order of Les Arts et Lettres in 1996, and chosen as "Musical Personality of the year 1997" by the French Critics Union. 

October 30th, 1955 in Rennes (Age 69)