Alongside his studies in French literature, first in preparatory classes and then at the Sorbonne University, Yann Toussaint trained as a singer. He studied at the municipal conservatories of Paris, then at the CNSMD de Paris, and was subsequently a trainee at the CNIPAL de Marseille.
He made his debut as Antonio in Rossini's Il Viaggio a Reims, touring the main opera houses in France. His favourite role is the Conte in Le Nozze di Figaro. He sings Schaunard (La Bohème), Falke (Die Fledermaus), and Lord Cecil (Maria Stuarda) alongside Patricia Ciofi and Karine Deshayes; Montano in Otello alongside Inva Mula and Vladimir Galouzine; Yves in Madame Chrysanthème under Victorien Vanoosten; and Germont in La Traviata under Sesto Quatrini at the Théâtre de l'Athénée in Paris. He frequently performs as Escamillo and Dancaïre in Carmen. Alongside Roberto Alagna, he was the Director in Le dernier jour d’un Condamné, then Araldo in Otello at the Chorégies d'Orange under the direction of Myung-Whun Chung. He has sung the title role of Don Giovanni on several occasions, notably in a masterclass with Ruggiero Raimondi at the Salle Gaveau, filmed by France 3. In 2022, he appeared as Sharpless in Madama Butterfly.
Yann Toussaint also performs baritone solo parts in oratorios: Brahms' Requiem (in Paris and Yokohama), Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Bach's Passions and Cantatas, and Requiems by Mozart, Fauré, and Duruflé, as well as Puccini's Messa di Gloria. He regularly gives recitals of songs and Lieder and is particularly fond of the worlds of Ravel, Brahms, Mahler, and Sibelius.
He has recorded several works by Isabelle Aboulker: L’Homme qui titubait dans la guerre conducted by Jérôme Hilaire, Un amour de Tortue and L’Énorme Crocodile conducted by Pierre Dumoussaud, which he also performed in Paris with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. He also recorded the role of Gessler in Grétry’s Guillaume Tell.
Yann Toussaint has been deeply committed to transmission and education for some twenty years. He has directed a dozen operas for the opera workshop at the Paris 5th district Conservatory, including Die Zauberflöte, Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, La Clemenza di Tito, Hänsel und Gretel, Gianni Schicchi, L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, and Dialogues des Carmélites. Since 2019, he has been teaching singing at the CNSMD in Paris, where he mentors young professionals as they begin their careers.
His commitment to pedagogy continues with his appointment at the KC.
“The opportunity to teach singing at the KC is a very happy event in my life. Joining a team of talented colleagues, and putting my skills and experience at the service of particularly promising young international singers, is a source of great motivation for me. And contributing to the reputation of the KC, a fine school with an international reputation, is both an honour and a real pleasure.”