Jean Létourneau

Jean Létourneau (12 April 1921 – 20 August 2018, Lévis) was a Canadian operatic tenor, french horn player, opera director, choral conductor, and music educator. He founded the Edmonton Opera in 1963, and served as that organization's first artistic director for three years.

Life and career Jean Létourneau was born in Quebec City on 12 April 1921. He was the son the pianist, organist, and conductor Omer Létourneau. He began his musical training with his father, and later studied french horn with Raoul Vézina and singing with Émile Larochelle and Léon Rothier. He founded the Edmonton Opera in 1963; serving as the company's first artistic director until 1966. He taught on the music faculties of the University of Alberta (1972-1979) and the University of Victoria (1979-1986). He was particularly celebrated for his work as a voice teacher.