Jan Rubeš

Jan Ladislav Rubeš CM 6 June 1920 29 June 2009 was a CzechCanadian bass opera singer and actor Born in Czechoslovakia he graduated in 1945 from the Conservatory of Music in Prague Rubes went on to join the Prague Opera House as their youngest basso singer He also performed at the Pilsen Opera House in leading roles in his early years By 1948 he was chosen to represent Czechoslovakia at the International Music Festival held in Geneva and won first prize in his category He emigrated to Canada on New Years Eve 1948 with hopes of creating a greater musical career As a member of the Canadian Opera Company he achieved recognition for his roles as Boris in Boris Godunov Schigolch in Lulu and as Mephisto in Faust As well he served as the companys director of touring and program development Branching out into radio and eventually TV he wrote and hosted from 197583 TVOntarios Guess What and acted in many TV dramas later receiving the Earle Grey Award for lifetime work in Canadian television