“She proved beyond doubt that communication is what singing should be about.” Those are the words of Daily Telegraph critic Alan Blyth in describing the warmth and artistry of Catherine Robbin’s performance following her winning of the Gold Award at the Benson & Hedges International Competition for Concert Singers in Aldeburgh, England in 1979.
Born in Toronto, Miss Robbin has studied in Canada, England and France with some of the world’s most celebrated voice instructors. She first came to international attention in 1978, when she was a prize winner at the International Vocal Competitions of both Paris and Geneva. Since then Catherine Robbin has performed regularly throughout Canada and England, Europe and the United States with the finest orchestras and choral societies. She is, as well, a busy recitalist who appears regularly in major series across Canada, in New York and France for Jeunesses Musicales. In addition, she made a highly successful recital debut in March 1981, at the Concert Hall of the Abraham Goodman House in New York.
Catherine Robbin is frequently a featured artist on CBC radio’s Mostly Music and Arts National. She sang the role of Dido in Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas, staged in the 1982 Stratford Summer Music Festival; this acclaimed production was taped for national broadcast on CBC radio. Miss Robbin has also performed for BBC radio in England.
She possesses “a wonderfully controlled legato, which carries her rich, well-focused voice in pure, smooth lines through Handel’s music.”
Catherine Robbin’s marvelously warm, rich and versatile voice communicates an emotional depth characteristic of today’s foremost vocal artists.
“She has a natural facility for language with excellent diction and her bright-toned agile voice can take on subtle shades of expressive colouring. “ Financial Times.
Catherine Robbin is performing “A Celebration of Life” benefit concert sponsored by Campaign Life on Friday, April 4.
