Injury Forces Violinist Angèle Dubeau to End Career

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Statement from Ms. Angèle Dubeau

October 23, 2024 – “For as long as I can remember, music has been a part of my life. Through it, I expressed myself, traveled, and found daily nourishment. My violin has been a faithful companion since the age of four. It colored my world and, even more than words, became my primary means of expression.

However, I now find myself having to learn how to live without my violin. With a heavy heart, I must accept that I can no longer physically play it. My right hand, specifically my index finger—the master of the bow—has lost its sensitivity and is permanently numb. For 58 years, I have applied pressure and precision to the same spot. The nerve has become worn and severely damaged.

To my dear audience, thank you for all the moments we’ve shared.

I sincerely hope my music continues to touch you through my 48 albums. What brings me comfort during this difficult time is knowing that my music will remain a part of your lives, in both the small and the grand moments. As for me, I will always be a woman of passion, a creator of beauty, and I will strive to continue bringing hearts and people together. I will channel my creative spirit, energy, and wealth of knowledge into future projects. And I leave you with a sentiment I have always held dear, which remains my guiding principle:

“Music is for everyone.”

Angèle Dubeau, O.C., C.Q., O.M.

About Angèle Dubeau

Angèle Dubeau has enjoyed a remarkable career as a classical musician for over 45 years, performing in as many countries. Beyond her virtuosity and musicality, it is her qualities as an exceptional woman that have earned her a special place in the hearts of audiences. While her talent and artistry have been recognized with numerous awards over the years, it is the public that has embraced her for her captivating performances, generosity, enthusiasm, unmatched ability to communicate, and her extraordinary gift for building connections with them.

As a virtuoso violinist, she is one of the rare classical musicians in the world to have received Gold Records. Over her career, she has recorded 48 albums, sold more than 650,000 copies, and garnered 230 million streams across various platforms for her entire body of work.

Angèle Dubeau’s musical journey is truly extraordinary. At 15, she earned a Premier Prix in violin under the tutelage of Raymond Dessaints at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, and at 16, a Premier Prix in chamber music from the same institution. She continued her studies at the Juilliard School in New York with Dorothy DeLay, and from 1981 to 1984, refined her craft with Ștefan Gheorghiu in Romania. Her talent has been recognized with numerous national and international awards.

Driven by a desire to innovate, Angèle Dubeau founded La Pietà in 1997, a female string ensemble that, under her direction, has toured the world since its inception.

Angèle Dubeau is deeply convinced of the importance of bringing music to a wider audience, and she has worked to make it accessible by transcending borders, generations, and social backgrounds. In addition to the numerous concerts she has performed, this true enthusiast has shared her love of music and culture through musical television and radio programs, which she both designed and hosted, as well as through her annual festival, the Fête de la Musique de Tremblant. Since she founded it 29 years ago, this event, which celebrates Canadian works and artists, has attracted more than 40,000 music lovers annually.

To date, she holds the record for the most Félix awards (Album of the Year) in all categories combined, since the creation of the award.

For her exceptional contribution to music, Angèle Dubeau has received the following honors over the years: Officer of the Order of Canada (member of the Order of Canada since 1996), Knight of the National Order of Quebec, Officer of the Order of Montreal, Companion of the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec, Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec, and the Prix du Québec in Performing Arts (Denise-Pelletier Award).