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Remembering Raymond Bisha: A Canadian voice in the global classical music world
The international classical music community is mourning the loss of Raymond Bisha — a proud Canadian whose career spanned continents, disciplines, and decades. Bisha passed away on August 5, 2025, leaving behind a legacy as both a consummate professional and a warm, generous colleague.
Born into a musical family, Bisha’s Canadian upbringing shaped a lifelong passion for the arts. He began his musical journey on the French horn, studying in Germany before earning a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Toronto. That degree would be the launchpad for a career that took him from the concert stage to the boardrooms of some of the world’s most influential music organizations.
After two years performing in a touring opera orchestra in Germany, Bisha returned to Canada to complete a program in arts management at George Brown College in Toronto. He went on to serve as tour and television production manager for the Canadian Opera Company, and later as a producer for CBC Radio 2’s Stereo Morning. Even as his career increasingly moved onto the international stage, Bisha remained rooted in Canadian values of cultural outreach, collaboration, and community building.
In the early 1990s, Bisha joined Naxos of Canada, beginning a three-decade relationship with the label that would eventually take him to Naxos of America, where he rose to Senior Vice-President of Marketing. His contributions went far beyond traditional marketing. He spearheaded the Naxos Classical Spotlight podcast series — producing more than 600 episodes featuring interviews with leading composers and conductors — and launched Naxos en Español, bringing classical music to Spanish-speaking audiences worldwide.
Throughout his career, Bisha was driven by curiosity and a spirit of connection. He learned Spanish later in life to better engage with new audiences, co-created a new-music concert series in Toronto, and navigated the challenges of emerging technology in the age of streaming. Whether he was behind a microphone, in a boardroom, or on stage, colleagues recall that his work was infused with kindness, professionalism, and an unmistakable personal warmth.
Raymond Bisha is survived by his wife Carol, their daughter Alicia and her partner Andrew, his brothers Bernard and Tim, and Tim’s wife Ji-Eun.
In its statement, Naxos called Bisha “a dear friend and colleague” whose impact was immeasurable:
“Raymond’s extensive background as a professional French horn player, broadcaster, opera tour manager, and concert organizer, combined with decades of expertise in radio, marketing, and label relations, greatly enriched our community. His absence will be deeply felt.”
For the Canadian classical music world — and for the countless listeners, artists, and industry colleagues around the globe — Raymond Bisha’s loss is profound. But his voice, his vision, and his dedication to music will continue to resonate for years to come.