Stage manager in his early days, Frank Furtado was, among others, the impresario of Gilles Vigneault, Robert Charlebois, Claude Dubois, Louise Forestier, Jean-Pierre Ferland and Diane Dufresne.
This one-man band was even the secretary of the international singer Nana Mouskouri for several years.
An epicurean at heart and a wine lover, Mr. Furtado was one of the four partners at the head of the Vignoble de l’Orpailleur.
“Frank Furtado arrived by chance. It was a direct neighbor of the future vineyard since initially, the land was located on a farm in poor condition which belonged to a breeder. Being a good neighbor and being an excellent cook, we would eat at his place. Frank believed in adventure and boarded the boat,” says Charles-Henri de Coussergues, co-owner of the Vignoble de l’Orpailleur, in an interview with The Voice of the East.
Owner of a vineyard in the Nîmes region of France, Hervé Durand acquired this property from Dunham in 1981. To take care of it on site, Charles-Henri de Coussergues, originally from the same region as Hervé Durand arrived in Quebec in April 1982.
From left to right, Frank Furtado, Gilles Vigneault, Charles-Henri de Coussergues and Hervé Durand. The singer is in the company of three of the four owners of Vignoble de l’Orpailleur. (Orpailleur vineyard)
Intern in the office of Frank Furtado and young lawyer, Pierre Rodrigue became the 4th partner at the head of Vignoble de l’Orpailleur, one of the first in Quebec.
An idea from Gilles Vigneault
Administrator of the wine company for several years, Frank Furtado’s daughter, Maude confirms that her father was an epicurean and an outstanding jack-of-all-trades.
“A seasoned businessman, my father had many contacts and found it a great challenge to found a vineyard. This project quickly tickled his appetite. Many economic decisions were made around a good meal and a good bottle,” recalls Maude Furtado.
The name of the vineyard came to the mind of one of his protégés and not the least, Gilles Vigneault.
Gilles Vigneault’s last visit to the Vignoble de l’Orpailleur during the ice harvest in 2006. (Orpailleur vineyard)
“Frank had an important role for the vineyard in making it known to the Quebec artistic community. We were looking for a name for the vineyard and it was Gilles Vigneault who proposed l’Orpailleur in reference to those who sifted the rivers in the Eastern Townships to find gold,” mentions Charles-Henri of Coussergues.
Founding member of ADISQ
Mr. Furtado was also one of the founding members of the ADISQ gala which rewards artists who have stood out on the music scene each year.
“At the time, Quebec wine did not exist. Thanks to Frank, it was Orpailleur wine that was served during this prestigious ceremony,” underlines Mr. de Coussergues.
During his career, Frank Furtado was involved in the Expo 67 shows, producer of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Montreal Olympic Games and initiator and then promoter of the international fireworks competitions in Montreal, Quebec, Toronto and Vancouver.
The sky of Quebec under the luminous flashes of the Grands Feux Loto-Québec. (Jeremy McKinnon)
“My father did not invent fireworks, but he was a pioneer in the field of large fireworks shows. What motivated him was to open doors. Over the years, he has become the instigator of many things,” concludes Maude Furtado with pride.
