Jean Doussard was a French classical conductor born on July 1, 1928, in Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance. Doussard studied at the Music Conservatory of Angers and the Paris Conservatory under Jean Fournet, Paul Van Kempen, and Ferdinand Leitner. In 1952, Doussard won first prize at the international music competition of Besançon, followed by a first prize in Siena in 1953. Doussard began a career as conductor of the Orchestre Radio Symphonique of Algiers from 1953 to 1955. Doussard served as first conductor of the International Ballet du Marquis de Cuervas from 1956 to 1961 and toured China. Following guest appearances at the Opéra de Lyon and the Opéra de Paris, Doussard held the position of permanent conductor at the opera house of Nancy from 1975 to 1979. From 1979, Doussard was the permanent conductor at the Opéra de Lille. His discography includes the albums La Fille de Madame Angot (1972), Les Cloches de Corneville (1973), and Valses de Vienne (1971). Doussard died on December 17, 2015, in Vannes.
