Frank H. Rowe

Rowe, Frank H.

Frank H. (Francis Henry) Rowe. Baritone, teacher, b Blackman, England, 22 Feb 1881?, d Montreal 19 Sept 1957?. He was a soloist at St John's Church in his native town and sang with the Moody-Manners opera troupe for three years. He later studied with Vittorio Maria Vanzo in Milan. On his return to England he sang for a time with the Carl Rosa troupe, and in 1910 he took part in Sir Thomas Beecham's operatic season at Covent Garden. He was also a distinguished oratorio singer. Two years later he moved to Montreal and taught 1913-ca 1923 at the Columbian Conservatory (Montreal) (later Canadian Academy of Music). He also taught at McGill University and gave many private lessons. His pupils included Thomas Archer, Pierre Duval, Maureen Forrester, Louis Quilico, and André Turp. He gave recitals with his friend the organist and pianist Frederick H. Blair. They were returning from England on the Athenia when it was torpedoed in September 1939. Blair lost his life but Rowe was saved. Following a recital for the Club musical de Québec, Louis Gravel wrote: 'The voice is rich enough in timbre, though somewhat lacking in warmth and resonance... the high notes are effortless; when sung with constraint they have a pleasing sound' (La Musique, vol 2, Dec 1920)