Description

GASTON DUBOIS (? 1879 – ?)

 

 

 

He studied at the Paris Conservatory under Paul Lhérie. His debut occurred in 1901 at the Grand Opéra in Paris as Vasco in Meyerbeer’s L’Africaine. He was a member of the Grand Opéra from 1902 to 1911, then moved to the Opéra-Comique. He returned to the Grand Opéra in 1919, where he expanded his repertoire to include character parts.

He was noted for his performances in the role of Narraboth in the premiere of Strauss’ Salome (1907), Nicias in Massenet’s Thaïs, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, and various roles in French opera such as Don José in Carmen, De Grieux in Massenet’s Manon, Hoffmann in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Werther in Werther, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana, and Erik in Der fliegende Holländer.

On June 2, 1922, he performed in the premiere of Stravinsky’s Renard at the Grand Opéra. He was admired for his performances in Monte Carlo and Nice, including in the premieres of d’Harcourt’s Tasso (1903) and Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges (1925).

He also appeared with his wife, mezzo-soprano Tina Dubois-Lauger, at the opera house in Rio de Janeiro in 1918. He continued performing in smaller roles in Monte Carlo until 1930 and was active as a director there. He spent his later years in Nice, where he was still living in 1952.

 

Chronology of some appearances

1901 Paris Grand Opéra Africaine (Vasco)

1917-1918 Barcelona Teatro Liceu Thais (Nicias)

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

Africaine (Meyerbeer) Combien tu m’es chère (w. Talexis) 60493 XP3711 Odeon, Paris 1907

Africaine (Meyerbeer) O transports (w. Talexis) 60496 xP 3713 Odeon, Paris 1907

Africaine (Meyerbeer) Septuor, pt 1 (w. Landouzy, Lauger-Dubois, Talexis, Régis, Rigaux & Billot) 56132 XP3642 Odeon, Paris 1907

Africaine (Meyerbeer) Septuor, pt 2 (w. Landouzy, Lauger-Dubois, Amelia Talexis, Régis, Rigaux & Billot) 56148 XP3643 Odeon, Paris 1907

Aida (Verdi) O céleste Aida 33223 Odeon, Paris 1904

Boheme (Puccini) Je suis poete BA 27116 Edison 4-min cylinders, Paris 1908-1909

Bohème (Puccini) Quatuor, pt 2 (w. Lauger-Dubois, Dubois & Billot) 56151 XP3689-2 Odeon, Paris 1907

Bohème (Puccini) Quatuor, pt 2 (w. Lauger-Dubois, Dubois & Billot) 56157 XP3688-2 Odeon, Paris 1907

Carmen (Bizet) La fleur 1261 Supra-Disque

Carmen (Bizet) Parle-moi de ma mère (w. Laute-Brun) BA 27114 Edison 4-min cylinders, Paris 1908-1909

Carmen Quant au douanier (w. Landouzy, Talexis, Lauger-Dubois, Billet & Régis) 56149 Odeon, Paris 1907

Faust (Gounod) Cavatine 8414 Homophone, 27-03-1906

Faust (Gounod) Cavatine Edison BA 27015 Edison 4-min cylinders, Paris 1908/1909

Faust (Gounod) Prenez mon bras un moment… Eh quoi! Toujours seule (w. Landouzy, Lauger-Dubois & Ananian) 56090, 56091, XP3527, XP3528 Odeon, Paris 1907-09