Joseph, Baron Van Damme, known as José van Dam, was a Belgian bass-baritone, described as having "a magnificent resonant and expressive voice" and being "an excellent actor". Beginning at the Paris Opera, he made an international career, especially in the French repertoire; Escamillo in Bizet's _Carmen_ was an early signature role that he took to La Scala in Milan and the Royal Opera House in London. He performed the title role of Messiaen's _Saint François d'Assise_ in the 1983 world premiere at the Paris Opera. He performed regularly at the Salzburg Festival and made several recordings with Herbert von Karajan that are regarded as reference recordings. In film, he portrayed Leporello in the 1979 opera film _Don Giovanni_, directed by Joseph Losey and conducted by Lorin Maazel. He served as master of the singing section at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel from 2004 to 2023.
