Description

CHARLES RICHARD (PARIS, 1901 – PARIS, 1960)

 

 

 

 

The child of American parents, Charles Richard grew up in England and, after a brief period of vocal training, began singing in variety shows in France. He then turned to operetta and eventually moved into opera at the end of the 1930s. He appeared in various opera houses throughout the French provinces, singing from 1943 to 1945 at the Opéra de Marseille. In 1945, he was invited to the Opéra-Comique in Paris, where he made his debut as Des Grieux in Massenet’s Manon.

He remained one of the leading tenors of the company until 1956, specializing in both French and Italian repertoire. His roles included Vincent in Mireille, Wilhelm Meister in Mignon, Gérald in Lakmé, Jean in Le jongleur de Notre-Dame, Alfredo in La traviata, Rodolfo in La bohème, Pinkerton, Cavaradossi, and the title role in Werther.

Richard continued to make guest appearances, including at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo in 1947 (as Nicias in Massenet’s Thaïs), and during the 1950–51 season at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, as well as in major opera houses across the French provinces. He was also a frequent performer in opera broadcasts on French radio.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1943-1945 Marseille Opera

1947 Monte Carlo Opera

1945-1956 Paris Opéra-Comique

1950-1951 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie

 

TRACKLIST

 

Boheme (Puccini) Que cette main est froide

Celle que j’aime (Sorbier-Stolz)

Le temps des cerises

Manon (Massenet) Duo de la rencontre (w. Chalanda)

Manon (Massenet) Le Rêve

Mignon (Thomas) Adieu Mignon

Mignon (Thomas) Elle ne croyait pas

Ninon ne me dites pas non (Moretti)

Parmi les fleurs (Veber-Van Parys)

Rigoletto (Verdi) Comme la plume au vent

Tosca (Puccini)  Le ciel luisait d’étoiles

Traviata (Verdi) Brindisi (w. Turba-Rabier)

Traviata (Verdi) Dei mei bollenti spiriti

Traviata (Verdi) Un di, felice (w. Turba-Rabier)

Un soir de réveillon (Moretti) Ninon (ne me dites pas non)