He studied voice in Québec, and in Paris with fellow Canadian Raoul Jobin.
In 1951, he started his career at the opera theater of Lyon. From 1952 to 1954, he undertook additional studies with
Beniamino Gigli in Rome, while continuing to appear in concert in
Canada.
In 1956, he made his debuts at the New York City Opera, where he continued to appear for many years, and at Covent Garden.
1957–64, he was also a member of the San Francisco opera. In 1958, he was very successful in Verdi's Requiem at
Hollywood Bowl. 1963–65 at the Metropolitan Opera; guest appearances in Mexico City, New Orleans, Hartford and
Philadelphia. He made three successful USSR tours (1963/64), where he appeared in concert and on stage; he sang in Italy,
Belgium, Austria, France, and regularly in Canada.
In 1977, his career ended after a throat surgery that went wrong.
Verreau had a voice of unusual beauty and quality. He did a lot of concert work, particularly in La damnation de Faust; he
appeared with the New York Philharmonic, the
Concerts Lamoureux, the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy, and all major Canadian orchestras. In opera, his most
important roles were Faust, Alfredo, Duca, Rodolfo, Massenet's des Grieux, Werther, Nadir, Vincent, Wilhelm Meister.
Picture source and reference
1, reference 2: Kutsch & Riemens, reference 3
