José Lens (Tenor) (Belgium, Ardennes Mohiville 1897 - ? 1964)

He received his first education at the Music Academy of Ciney in Belgium and then continued in Lüttich under Jules Massart. He made his debut in 1926 at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels in the role of Nicias in ''Thaïs'' of Massenet. He remained a member of this leading Belgian opera house till 1952. He appeared at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in different French-speaking premières, among other things in ''Turandot'' of Puccini (1926 as Pang), ''Mona Lisa'' of Max von Schillings (1928 as Alessio), ''Debora e Jaele'' of Pizzetti (1929), ''Ariadne auf Naxos'' of Richard Strauss (1930 as Brighella), ''Wozzeck'' of Alban Berg (1932 as captain) and ''Der Liebestrank'' of R. Zandonai (1933 as Renzo). He sang there also on 29. 4. 1929 the role of Alexis in the premiere of Prokofiev's opera ''Der Spieler'' (''Le Joueur''). Other roles from his repertoire included the Steuermann in "Fliegenden Holländer", Walther von Stolzing in "Meistersingern", Assad in "Die Königin von Saba" of Goldmark, Herodes in ''Salome'' of R. Strauss, Turiddu in ''Cavalleria Rusticana'', Julien in ''Louise'' of Charpentier, Canio in ''Pagliacci'', Pinkerton in ''Madama Butterfly''. He made also guest appearances in France, Holland and Switzerland. Probably he retired from the stage in 1955.

Chronology of some appearances

1926--1952 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie

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