Description

CHARLES ROUSSELIÈRE (TENOR) (SAINT-NAZAIRE-D’AUDE, 17 JANUARY, 1875 – JOUÉ-LÈS-TOURS, 11 MAY, 1950)

 

 

 

 

Originally a blacksmith by trade, he studied with Albert Vaguet at the Paris Conservatoire and made his début at the Opéra as Samson in 1900. The following year he sang in the première of Camille Saint-Saëns’s Les barbares, and he remained with the company until 1905. Until 1919 he was a favourite at Monte Carlo, where he appeared first in La damnation de Faust; premières there included Pietro Mascagni’s Amica, Saint-Saëns’s L’ancêtre and Gabriel Fauré’s Pénélope. His début at the Metropolitan in Roméo et Juliette in 1906 coincided with that of Geraldine Farrar, who received more attention; his dramatic skill was appreciated but the power of his voice, sometimes strident, suggested that he should turn to more heroic roles. This he did on his return to France, adding Otello, Lohengrin, Siegfried and Parsifal to his repertory. He also appeared in Berlin, Buenos Aires and Milan, and in his later years sang mostly at the Opéra-Comique where in 1913 he created the title role in Gustave Charpentier’s Julien. His varied repertory is well represented in recordings made between 1903 and 1926: his voice is strong and clearly defined, his style authoritative in declamation and well mannered in more lyrical music.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1905 Montecarlo Teatro del Casinî Amica (Giorgio)

1906 New York Teatro Metropolitan Dannazione di Faust (Faust)

1907 New York Teatro Metropolitan Carmen (Don Jose)

1907 Montevideo Teatro Solis Don Carlo (Carlo)

1909 Roma Teatro Costanzi Tristano e Isotta (Tristano)

1911 Palermo Teatro Massimo Don Carlo (Carlo)

1911 Madrid Teatro Reale Tristano e Isotta (Tristano)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Manon (Massenet) Nous vivrons à Paris (w. J Rousselière) 34012 1795F G&T, Paris 1903
2. Martha (Flotow) Lorsqu’à mes yeux 2-32854 1886F G&T, Paris 1903
3. Mireille (Gounod) Anges du Paradis 2-32816 1802F G&T, Paris 1903
4. Mireille (Gounod) O Magali (w. J Rousselière) 34009 1712F G&T, Paris 1903
5. Mon petit Pierrot (Leoncavallo) 2-32919 2135F G&T, Paris 1903
6. Paillasse (Leoncavallo) Pauvre Paillasse 2-32752 1673-P1 G&T, Paris 1903
7. Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet) Au fond du temple saint (w. A. Boyer) 34022 2351F G&T, Paris 1903
8. Richard Coeur de Lion (Grétry) Une fièvre brûlante (w. A. Boyer) 34023 2350F G&T, Paris 1903
9. Salammbô (Reyer) Ne détourne pas ces regards 2-32753 1678F G&T, Paris 1903
10. Sigurd (Reyer) Esprits gardiens 2-32846 1817F G&T, Paris 1903
11. Soir d’hiver (Holmès) 2-32984 2185F G&T, Paris 1903
12. Stances (Flégier) 2-32847 1818F G&T, Paris 1903
13. Tannhauser (Wagner) Adorez Dieu 2-32987 2266F G&T, Paris 1903
14. Tendresse (Bachelet) 2-32982 2183F G&T, Paris 1903
15. Walkure (Wagner) Lied du printemps 2-32845 1816F G&T, Paris 1903
16. Walküre (Wagner) Siegmund suis-je 2-32995 2346F G&T, Paris 1903
17. Werther (Massenet) Pourquoi me réveiller 2-32920 2136F G&T, Paris 1903
18. Werther (Massenet) Rêve! Extase! Bonheur! 2-32990 2269F G&T, Paris 1903