Description

PIERRE D’ASSY (LIÈGE, 1867 – LYON, 10 MARCH, 1910)

Against his family’s wishes, he studied singing under Jacques Bouhy in Paris. While performing at the Théâtre Porte St. Martin, the manager of the Lyon opera house discovered him and engaged him as the principal bass. He made his debut there during the 1897-98 season as the Cardinal in Halévy’s La Juive. Following successful performances in Lyon as Sarastro in The Magic Flute and in Gounod’s La Reine de Sheba, he was engaged by the Théâtre de la Haye in The Hague in 1898.

In 1899, he joined the ensemble of the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, where his debut role was Ramfis in Aida. Until 1907, he was one of the most successful members of this renowned Belgian opera house. In 1902, he appeared in the French premiere of Jan Blockx’s opera La Fiancée de la Mer as the Morik. He also sang in Brussels premieres of Charpentier’s Louise (1901), Albéniz’s Pepita Jiménez (1905), Blockx’s Tijl Ulenspiegel (1900), and Dupuis’s Martylle.

He married opera singer Jeanne Paquot-d’Assy (1878-1959), who also performed in Brussels. In 1907, both were engaged by the Grand Opéra of Paris, where he made his debut as Hunding in Die Walküre. Tragically, he died at the height of his career during a guest performance in Lyon.

Chronology of some appearances

1897-98 Lyon Opera House La Juive (Cardinal)

1898 Hague Théâtre de la Haye

1899-1907 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie

TRACKLIST

1. Africaine (Meyerbeer) Adamastor, roi des vagues (w. chorus) 032162, 01073v Gramophone, Paris 1909-06-08
2. Africaine (Meyerbeer) Scene du Grand Brahmine (w. chorus) 032153 0926v Gramophone, Paris 1909-03-24
3. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) La calomnie 032082 829i Gramophone, Paris 1908
4. Carmen (Bizet) Votre toast (w. chorus) 032107, 886i Gramophone, Paris 1908-10
5. Chalet (Adam) Dans ce bois de sapins (w. Regis) 034037, 0848v Gramophone, Paris 1908-11-05
6. Chalet (Adam) Il faut me ceder ta maitresse (w. Regis) 034035 0847v Gramophone, Paris 1908-11-05
7. Damnation de Faust (Berlioz) Chanson de Brander et Fugue (w. chorus) 032155 0925v Gramophone, Paris 1909-03-24
8. Faust (Gounod) A moi les plaisirs (w. Rocca) 034025, 833i Gramophone, Paris 1908
9. Faust (Gounod) Anges purs (w. Auguez de Montalant & Rocca) 34208x 6497?h Gramophone, Paris 1908-10
10. Faust (Gounod) Choral des epees (w. Vigneau, Auguez de Montalant & Rocca) 3-32875 6499h Gramophone, Paris 1908-10
11. Faust (Gounod) Le veau d’or 3-32812, 5858h Gramophone, Paris 1908
12. Faust (Gounod) Mais ce Dieu (w. Rocca) 034024 832i Gramophone, Paris 1908
13. Faust (Gounod) Scene de l’eglise, pt 1 (w. Auguez de Montalant & chorus) 034030 0844v Gramophone, Paris 1908-11-04
14. Faust (Gounod) Scene de l’eglise, pt 2 (w. Auguez de Montalant & chorus) 034031 0845v Gramophone, Paris 1908-11-04
15. Faust (Gounod) Serenade 3-32813 5859h Gramophone, Paris 1908
16. Herodiade (Massenet) Air de Phanuel 032154 0932v Gramophone, Paris 1909-03-25
17. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Benediction des poignards (w. chorus) 032108 0865v Gramophone, Paris 1908-12-02
18. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Conjuration (w. Bakkers, Boussagol & chorus) 034032, 885i Gramophone, Paris 1908-10
19. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Pif, paf, pouf 3-32857, 6232h Gramophone, Paris 1908
20. Juive (Halevy) Anatheme 3-32814, 5860h Gramophone, Paris 1908