Mr. Rolle attended the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, where he earned an M.A. in French Literature and Modern History. His early musical talent brought him first to the vocal arts program at the Fribourg Conservatory, then to Paris, where he studied voice and music in renowned music conservatories.
In 1994, while studying with Marie-Henriette Dejean and Peter Gottlieb of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, Mr. Rolle commenced his research at the University of Paris-Sorbonne on the Paris opera of the 19th century. His dissertation on that subject was awarded honorable mention and led to the award of the Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies (D.E.A). During this period, he won first prize in the prestigious Leopold Bellan vocal competition. This recognition served as a springboard to recitals, concerts, oratorio and opera.
Among Mr. Rolle’s European engagement were the Paris Art’s Production of Le Jeu de Daniel with the New York Ensemble for Early Music, sponsored by first lady Bernadette Chirac. He also performed as a regular guest at the Paris American Cathedral concert series. An engaging stage presence has even provided Mr. Rolle the opportunity of using his vocal talent while working on the runway for some of the top French designers, such as Jean-Remy Daumas and Yves-St-Laurent.
In 1996,Gilbert-Michel Rolle was invited to the Summer Festival of Athens where he sang in the famous Erodus Atticus Theater, next to the Acropolis. In November 1997, the Swiss National Television network aired an in-depth interview with Mr. Rolle, highlighting his musical career. In April 1998, he sang at the Swiss Embassy in Washington D.C. On September 2001 and again on September 2002, his work was highlighted again during an interview on the evening News edition of the Swiss National Television.
Since coming to the United States Mr. Rolle has performed in San Diego, Washington D.C., NewYork City and in San Francisco with the San Francisco Sinfonietta Orchestra. These performances included the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, and the World Premiere of Advents Lieder, by Swiss composer Mario Giovanoli.
Mr. Rolle made his New York debut at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall on April 6, 2003 and was invited by the “Embassy series” to perform again in Washington D.C. on June 2, 2003. The Tenor performed in Paris in January 2004, with the Orchestre de la Nouvelle Europe.
In May 2007, Mr. Rolle made his debut at Kaufman Center’s Merkin Concert Hall in a solo concert with orchestra conducted by the Broadway Musical Award –winning conductor, Antony Geralis. Gilbert-Michel Rolle has just released his new CD entitled “Musical Voyage”, with piano, String quartet and clarinet, recorded during the Spring 2007 at Town Hall in New York City. The CD was presented during a live interview on the New York City Radio Station, WKCR during its weekly program, “Classical Afternoon”. (To obtain a copy of the album click here) In May 2007, he performed and was then honored at a reception given by the roster of the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation. He currently has scheduled engagements through 2010 in the United States and Europe.