Description

AGUSTARELLO AFFRE (SAINT-CHINIAN, 23 OCTOBER, 1858 – CAGNES-SUR-MER, FRANCE, 27 DECEMBER, 1931)

 

 

 

 

Discovered by Pierre Gailhard, he initially trained at the conservatories in Toulouse and Paris under Duvernoy. Affre made his debut in 1890 as Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, with Nellie Melba as his partner, marking the beginning of his long association with the Grand Opéra.

Throughout the 1890s, he appeared in prominent French cities such as Lyon, Marseille, and Aix-les-Bains, before making his international debut in Brussels at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in 1900. Among his notable performances at the Grand Opéra were his roles in J. Massenet’s Le Mage (1891) and the French premiere of R. Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci in 1902. His repertoire also included important roles like Raoul in Les Huguenots, Eleazar in La Juive, Faust, and Samson in Samson et Dalila.

Affre made guest appearances in London at Covent Garden in 1909 and later in San Francisco (1911), New Orleans (1912), and Havana (1913). His powerful, heroic voice earned him the nickname “The French Tamagno,” drawing comparisons to the famous Italian tenor. He remained active during World War I, giving concerts to French soldiers near the front lines. He passed away in his villa on the Côte d’Azur and was laid to rest in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1890 Paris Grand Opera

1891 Paris Grand Opera

1902 Paris Grand Opera

1905 Paris Grand Opera

1909 London Covent Garden

1911 San Francisco Opera

1912 New Orleans Opera

1913 Havana Opera

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Quand l’oiseau chante (Tagliafico) 032000 2290-CS G&T, Paris 1903

Quand l’oiseau chante (Tagliafico) 60107 XP3057 Odeon, Paris 19061907

Quand l’oiseau chante (Tagliafico) P2051 2051-2 Pathé-APGA, Paris 1910

Reine de Saba (Gounod) Grand air, pt 2 36744 XP2563 Odeon, Paris 1906-08

Reine de Saba (Gounod) Inspirez-moi 2-32967 2250-CS G&T, Paris 1903

Reine de Saba (Gounod) Inspirez-moi, race divine 3493 Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1903

Reine de Saba (Gounod) Inspirez-moi, race divine 3493 Pathé, Paris 1910 (with orchestra)

Rigoletto (Verdi) Ballade 60064 XP3059 Odeon, Paris 19061907

Rigoletto (Verdi) Comme la plume au vent 2-32607 1231-F G&T, Paris 1902 (late)

Rigoletto (Verdi) Comme la plume au vent 3481 Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1903

Rigoletto (Verdi) Comme la plume au vent 3481 Pathé, Paris 1910 (with orchestra)

Rigoletto (Verdi) Comme la plume au vent 10012 10012 APGA, Paris 1912

Rigoletto (Verdi) Comme la plume au vent 11640 Zonophone, Paris 1902 (autumn)

Rigoletto (Verdi) Fragment du quartuor 3488 Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1903

Rigoletto (Verdi) Fragments du quartuor (w. unknown (mezzosoprano) 2-32970, 2289-F G&T, Paris 1903

Rigoletto (Verdi) Quatuor (w. Landouzy, Lauger-Dubois & Rigaux) 86503 XXP3683 Odeon, Paris 1907

Rigoletto (Verdi) Qu-une belle 3494 Pathé cylinders & discs, Paris 1903

Rigoletto (Verdi) Qu’une belle 3494 Pathé, Paris 1910 (with orchestra)