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. Le Cor (Flegier) 3-32856 6230h Gramophone, Paris 1908
2. Le muletier de Castille (de Montour) 4-32031 14504u Gramophone, Paris 1909-03-25
3. Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse (Planquette) (as Beaufort) Z-082034, 01108v Gramophone, Paris 1909-06-16
4. Le soldat de Marsala (Nadaud) 4-32030 14498u Gramophone, Paris 1909-03-24
5. Marche Lorraine (ganne) (w. chorus) (as Beaufort) Z-082005 0933v Gramophone, Paris 1909-03-29
6. Mignon (Thomas) As-tu souffert (w. Brohly) 34218 14155u Gramophone, Paris 1908-12-07
7. Mignon (Thomas) Legeres hirondelles (w. Brohly) 34217 14154u Gramophone, Paris 1908-12-07
8. Mireille (Gounod) Le Val d’Enfer (w. chorus) 032164 01076v Gramophone, Paris 1909-06-09
9. Mireille (Gounod) Si les filles d’Arles sont reines 032080, 830i Gramophone, Paris 1908
10. Noces de Jeannette (Masse) Margot leve ton sabot 4-32052, 14922u Gramophone, Paris 1909-06-05
11. Pardon de Ploermel (Dinorah) (Meyerbeer) En chasse! 032113 0896?v Gramophone, Paris 1909-02-10
12. Patrie (Paladilhe) Pauvre martyr obscur (w. chorus) 032109 0869v Gramophone, Paris 1908-12-07
13. Philemon et Baucis (Gounod) Couplets de Vulcain 3-32932 14125u Gramophone, Paris 1908-11-30
14. Robert le diable (Meyerbeer) Evocation 3-32833 5857h Gramophone, Paris 1908
15. Roi de Lahore (Massenet) Promesse de mon avenir 032081 831i Gramophone, Paris 1908
16. Romeo et Juliette (Gounod) Allons jeunes gens 3-32858 6233h Gramophone, Paris 1908
17. Sigurd (Reyer) Au nom du roi Gunther (w. chorus) 4-32032 14512u Gramophone, Paris 1909-03-26
18. Val d’Andorre (Halevy) Voila le sorcier 032114, 0897v Gramophone, Paris 1909-02-10
19. Vepres Siciliennes (Verdi) Et toi, Palerme 032104 0861v Gramophone, Paris 1908-11-30
20. Zauberflote (Mozart) Air de Sarastro 3-32851 6231h Gramophone, Paris 1908