He was a baritone singer born in Montreal, Canada, to an Italian father, who owned a bicycle shop, and a French-Canadian mother. While still at high school he won a prize where he went to study at the Conservatoire Santa Cecilia in Rome with the renowned baritone Riccardo Stracciari. When he returned to Canada he continued to study at the Montreal Conservatoire and the Mannes College of Music.
He won several competitions including “Auditions of the Air” which was sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera Company.
He made his professional debut in 1954 and over the next 5 years appeared with many of the acclaimed international opera companies, making his Covent Garden debut in 1960 starring alongside Joan Sutherland in Verdi’s La Traviata.
He became a featured performer in all the world’s great opera houses and joined The Met in 1973, staying with them for 25 seasons and being prominent in their Live From The Metrecordings. He teamed up with his son, Gino, in 1987, making opera history by becoming the first father and son to perform in the same production at The Met, before going on to do many further performances.
His most acclaimed performance was in the part of Rigoletto and he was often dubbed “Mr. Rigoletto” as he performed the role over 500 times. A biography written by his wife, Chirstina, used this nickname as the title of the book.
He retired from The Met in 1998 but still performed and taught, often appearing with his wife who was an acclaimed pianist.
He died suddenly at his home in Toronto on 15th July 2000 when he was 75, with his last live performance being given in April 2000.
Adolphe Charles Adams recordings
Cantique de Noel (Charles Adolphe Adam)
Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Children’s Chorus
Conductor – Jean Ashworth Bartle
Soloists – Louis and Gino Quilico
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