Tribute to Howard Crook

 

It is with deep emotion that we bid farewell to Howard Crook, a pillar of Les Arts Florissants, who passed away on August 27. An exceptional American tenor, he left an indelible mark on the ensemble, right from his first collaborations with William Christie. His title role in Lully's Atys remains deeply etched in our memories, as do his remarkable interpretations of Rameau's Pygmalion, Nélée et Myrthis, Castor et Pollux and Les Indes galantes, directed by Alfredo Arias, and Les Métamorphoses de Psyché, directed by Jean-Marie Villégier.

Her unique voice, combining virtuosity and depth, has touched and inspired artists the world over. His masterclasses on the interpretation of 17th- and 18th-century repertoire have left a lasting mark on the transmission of Baroque singing. We also fondly remember his unforgettable performances, from Gilles' Requiem and Charpentier's Te Deum at La Chaise-Dieu in 1986, to the sublime Christmas music by Buxtehude at Radio France in 1997.  

An eminent specialist of the French repertoire, Howard Crook also shone in Mozart, bringing his artistry to masterpieces such as Davide penitente and Exultate jubilate at Aix-en-Provence in 1991, under the baton of William Christie. 

His priceless musical and human legacy will continue to echo within us.