Henri Pontbriand

Pontbriand, Henri

Henri Pontbriand. Tenor, teacher, b Sorel, Que, 18 Jan 1894, d Rawdon, near Joliette, Que, 12 Jun 1969. After training as a naval draughtsman he moved to Montreal in 1912 and took lessons from Albert Clerk-Jeannotte (voice) and Victoria Cartier (piano). In 1916 he appeared in concerts with Émile Taranto and Léo-Pol Morin before residing 1919-20 in New York and in Paris, where he studied with Louis Delaquerrière. He lived 1920-8 in New York continuing his studies with Enrico Rosati and Caruso's coach, Salvatore Fucito. He gave concerts, taking turns with Richard Crooks and Jan Peerce. In San Francisco he performed with an orchestra conducted by Albert Coates. On his return to Montreal in 1929 he opened a teaching studio and sang on the CNR radio station and on CKAC. His studio, which he closed in 1944, was frequented by many pupils, including Jeanne Desjardins, Mary Henderson, and Jacques Labrecque. In 1933 he moved to Rawdon, Que; there he devoted himself to town planning and tourist accommodation, gradually abandoning his singing career.Pontbriand made a few non-commercial recordings and was active as an amateur painter. He was president of the JMC centre in Joliette in 1961.