Marthe Lapointe

Lapointe, Marthe

Marthe Lapointe. Soprano, violinist, b Quebec City 29 Nov 1910; lauréat (AMQ) 1930. At six she began to study voice, solfège, violin, and piano. She entered Mont-Ste-Marie Convent in Montreal ca 1921, where she studied violin with Émile Taranto. In Quebec City she studied harmony and voice 1927-51 with Berthe Roy. She also studied violin, harmony, and ear training for five years privately with Robert Talbot and for two years at Laval University.

Though a violinist ca 1929-33 with the Société symphonique de Québec (Québec SO), Lapointe became increasingly interested in an operatic career. Her gifts in opéra-comique and operetta were conditioned under the guidance of Lucienne Defrenne, whom she approached ca 1932, and in 1935 she made her debut as Marguerite in a presentation of extracts from Faust at the Capitol Theatre (Quebec City). She was a leading soprano 1936-55 with the Variétés lyriques in Montreal. She sang on many CBC radio series and gave many recitals. Lapointe retired in 1966, having sung in some 10 operas and over 65 operettas, including those of Lehár, Offenbach, Lecocq, and Oscar Straus. After retirement from the stage, she taught music appreciation to children in five primary schools in Ville d'Anjou, Que, until 1970. Her collection of scores is held at the BN du Q.