Charles Van Tassel has died, aged 75.
New York born, Charles discovered Europe at 30 and never looked back, becoming a Dutch citizen in 1975. He sang more that 100 operatic roles in Germany and Holland and was a wonderful lieder singer, into old age.
Here he is in Israel, just ten months ago.
Dear Mr. Lebrecht,
In your article about Charles Van Tassel “Farewell to a fine baritone”, you posted the video of his duo with Amalia Ishak in Israel, but could you please check the date for that performance? I don’t think it was just 10 months ago and would appreciate having the exact date and place.
Thank you.
All the best,
G. Varro (Bussy-le-Grand, Burgundy, France)
A wonderful colleague and friend whom I’ve had the pleasure of conducting, singing with and teaching next to. May his spirit give joy in the years to come.
I would like to say farewell to a wonderful colleague, a fine singer and a very good friend. He was a wise, inspirational teacher with enormous knowledge of singing and repertoire. I learnt much from him.
He will be sorely missed.