Raöul Duguay

Duguay, Raöul
Raöul or Raôul Duguay, pseudonym Luoar Yaugud. Poet, singer-songwriter, b Val-d'Or, Que, 13 Feb 1939; L PH (Montreal) 1963. While studying many artistic directions, he began, in 1965, to present shows throughout Quebec, and in Paris and Brussels, as a singer, guitarist, trumpeter, pianist, and storyteller. In 1968 he founded L'Infonie with Walter Boudreau, remaining with the group until 1972 and continuing thereafter to write the texts of Boudreau's compositions, among them 'Le Cercle gnostique I,'from Coffre I. Duguay has had published in Montreal various tracts, texts, and poems, including Le manifeste de l'Infonie : le ToutArtBel(1970), contributed to La Barre du jour and Mainmise, and edited, and wrote the preface for, Musiques du Kébèk (1971), a collection of essays by several authors. He wrote plays, creating the music and the stage design and frequently taking the leading role alongside other actors, singers, and dancers. He appeared in several films, including the documentary L'Infonie inachevée and produced Ô ou l'invisible enfant (NFB 1976). As lyricist and performer he participated in recordings by Infonie and in the LP Les Porches by Maneige. He made his own LPs All-lô Tôulmônd (1975, Cap ST-70.036), L'Envôl (1976, Cap SKAO-70.042), and Raôul Duguay vivant avec Tôulllmônd (1978, Cap SWBC-70.057).

During the 1980s, Duguay devoted himself especially to composition, becoming one of the main representatives of New Age music in Quebec. Among his works are Sept for string quartet (1981), Kébec à la porte, an oratorio for two voices and eight instruments (1982), and Le Pyradôme, a multi-media show presented at the Cité de l'image de Montréal (1988). He also wrote the text of Golgot(h)a, a symphonic poem by Walter Boudreau which won the Grand Prix Paul-Gilson of the Communauté. des radios publiques de langue française in 1991. He produced two records with Michel Robidoux: Douceur (1985, Les Disques trente-trois T-3) and Nova (1989, Les Disques trente-trois MRCD-111). He also composed music for the treatment of persons suffering from autism and stress.

Exploiting all the sonorities of his remarkable voice, Duguay's shows were events where song, humour, classical and folk music, and counter-cultural influences combined to create vast happenings. Duguay's greatest success, of folk inspiration, was 'La Bittt à Tibi' which led to his performance, among other places, at the Palace de Paris and in Hamburg as part of a peace festival.. After one of his shows at the St-Denis Theatre, Montreal, Nathalie Petrowski wrote (Le Devoir 19 Dec 1977): 'His show exceeds the simple art of entertainment, exceeds the art of performance and becomes a true human happening, a meeting of hearts and minds'.

Author Christian Rioux, Pierre Rochon

Bibliography

Pedneault, Hélène. 'Song is best means of communicating for Raoul Duguay,' MSc, 287, Jan-Feb 1976

Radz, Matt. 'Raoul Duguay: creative anarchist,' Montreal Star, 18 Feb 1978

Beaulieu, Pierre. 'Duguay: j'écris dans les oreilles,' Montreal La Presse, 10 Jun 1978

Links to Other Sites
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame
The website for the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, an organization dedicated to promoting Canadian popular music songwriters. Check out the annual list of inductees and click on a name to read an inductee’s biography. Also offers video highlights of previous award ceremonies.