Description

JEAN AQUISTAPACE (NICE, 22 AUGUST, 1888 – NICE, 20 OCTOBER, 1952)

He made his operatic debut in 1911 and initially performed in various French provincial theaters, including the Opera House in Lyon, where he sang the title role in Boris Godunov in 1913. During the 1913-1914 season, he joined the Paris Opéra-Comique, marking the start of his association with major French opera houses. In 1914, he made a successful appearance at Covent Garden in London, performing in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro and Puccini’s La Bohème. He also portrayed the father in Charpentier’s Louise at Covent Garden in 1913 and sang Leporello in Don Giovanni under Bruno Walter in 1926.

At the Grand Opéra in Paris, he participated in the renowned 1922 premiere of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, further establishing his presence in the French operatic scene. His diverse repertoire included key roles such as Mefistofele in Gounod’s Faust, Sparafucile in Rigoletto, and the Devil in Grisélidis.

In addition to his stage career, he appeared in several films, showcasing his talents in the emerging medium of cinema. Later in life, he transitioned into administration, serving as the manager of the Nice Opera, where he contributed to the cultural life of the city.

Chronology of some appearances

1913 Lyon Opera House

1914 Paris Opéra-Comique

1914 London Covent Garden

1922 Paris Grand Opéra

1926 London Covent Garden

TRACKLIST

1. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Air de la calomnie 0350 Pathé, Paris 1922
2. Boris Godounov (Moussorgsky) La mort de Boris 7189 Pathé, Paris 1928
3. Boris Godounov (Moussorgsky) Les adieux de Boris 7189 Pathé, Paris 1928
4. Carmen (Bizet) Air du Toréador 0352 Pathé, Paris 1922
5. Châlet (Adam) Arrêtons-nous ici 0388 438 Pathé, Paris 1923
6. Die Zauberflöte (Mozart) Papapagena! Papapageno! 201761 Pathé, Paris 1928
7. Don Quichotte (Massenet) La mort de Don Quichotte, pt 1 7144 N201763-1 Pathé, Paris 1928
8. Don Quichotte (Massenet) La mort de Don Quichotte, pt 2 7144 N201764-1 Pathé, Paris 1928
9. D’une prison (Hahn) 3242 Pathé, Paris 1922-1924
10. Et le reste with Arletty Salabert 3292
11. Faust (Gounod) Le veau d’or 0655 Pathé, Paris 1928
12. Hérodiade (Massenet) Dors, ô cité perverse 0388 Pathé, Paris 1923
13. La Marseillaise (de l’Isle) 3253 Pathé, Paris 1923
14. Le Cor (Flégier) 3243 Pathé, Paris 1923
15. Mignon (Thomas) Berceuse 0391 Pathé, Paris 1923
16. Noël païen (Massenet) 3243 Pathé, Paris 1923
17. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Prologue 0350 Pathé, Paris 1922
18. Pensée d’automne (Massenet) 3242 Pathé, Paris 1923
19. Thaïs (Massenet) Voilà donc la térrible cité 0391 Pathé, Paris 1923
20. Thaïs (Massenet) Voilà donc la terrible cité 0662 Pathé, Paris 1928