Michael Burgess (singer)

Michael Burgess (born July 19, 1945, Toronto, Ontario – died September 28, 2001, Toronto, Ontario) was a Canadian tenor, known primarily for his role as Jean Valjean in the Toronto, London, and Broadway productions of the musical Les Misérables.

Burgess studied voice at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. His early career included opera and oratorio performances. He gained prominence for his portrayal of Jean Valjean, which he played for over 1,000 performances across different productions. He originated the role in the Canadian premiere of Les Misérables in Toronto in 1986 and continued in the role in London's West End (1989) and on Broadway (1991). His rendition of "Bring Him Home" became particularly well-regarded.

Beyond Les Misérables, Burgess also performed in other musicals and theatrical productions. He released several albums, including recordings of songs from musicals and classical pieces. In addition to his stage work, Burgess made occasional appearances on television.

He died of cancer at the age of 56.