Frans Vroons

Frans Vroons (born on April 28, 1911 in Amsterdam, Netherlands,. died on June 1, 1983 in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands) was a Dutch operatic tenor. Vroons studied in Amsterdam with Berthe Seroen and later in Paris. Already as a student he sang at the Amsterdam Wagner Association and in student appearances of the Conservatory in Amsterdam. He made a name for himself with the Dutch Opera in 1937 with his leading role in "Pelléas and Melisande". In 1941 he became a principal tenor of the Dutch Opera in Amsterdam and in the opening performance he performed in Wagenaar's "Doge van Venetië". After the Second World War he became internationally known, performing in Paris, London, Stockholm, New York and San Francisco. In 1957 he became director of the Dutch Opera, but also stayed performing as an opera and concert singer. He played Don José in "Carmen" and sang Don Basilio, alongside Elisabeth Schwartzkopf in Mozart's "Nozze di Figaro". He also devoted himself to opera directing and was a vocal pedagogue in The Hague. He died at the age of 72 after a heart attack.