Description

CHARLES ROUSSELIÈRE (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

 

 

Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet) Au fond du temple saint (w. A Boyer) 34022 2351F G&T, Paris 1903

Pensée d’automne (Massenet) 566065 1904BMP Polydor, Paris 1930

Rappelle-toi (Rupès) 2-32998 2474F G&T, Paris 1903

Reine de Chypre (Halévy) Duo (w. A Boyer) 34024 2352F G&T, Paris 1903

Richard Coeur de Lion (Grétry) Une fièvre brûlante (w. A Boyer) 34023 2350F G&T, Paris 1903

Roi d’Ys (Lalo) Aubade 4711 Pathé, Paris 1907

Roméo et Juliette (Gounod) Ah, lève-toi, soleil D9153 Dutreih, Paris 1905

Salammbô (Reyer) Ne détourne pas ces regards 2-32753 1678F G&T, Paris 1903

Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) Arrêtez, ô mes frères 3326 Odeon, 1903

Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) Vois ma misère 7533 Beka

Siegfried (Wagner) La forge 561011 3128BKP Polydor, Paris 1930

Siegfried (Wagner) Murmures de la forêt 566043 Polydor, Paris 1930

Sigurd (Reyer) Esprits gardiens 2-32846 1817F G&T, Paris 1903

Sigurd (Reyer) Esprits gardiens 4712 Pathé, Paris 1907

Sigurd (Reyer) J’ai gardé mon âme ingénue 7529 Beka, Paris 1906 (announcement 1907)