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

1. Africaine (Meyerbeer): Combien tu m’es chère (w. Talexis) 60493 XP3711 Odeon, Paris 1907
2. Africaine (Meyerbeer): O transports (w. Talexis) 60496 xP 3713 Odeon, Paris 1907
3. Africaine (Meyerbeer) Septuor, pt 1 (w. Landouzy, Lauger-Dubois, Talexis, Régis, Rigaux & Billot) 56132 XP3642 Odeon, Paris 1907
4. Africaine (Meyerbeer) Septuor, pt 2 (w. Landouzy, Lauger-Dubois, Amelia Talexis, Régis, Rigaux & Billot) 56148 XP3643 Odeon, Paris 1907
5. Aida (Verdi) O céleste Aida 33223 Odeon, Paris 1904
6. Bohème (Puccini): Quatuor, pt 2 (w. Lauger-Dubois, Dubois & Billot) 56157 XP3688-2 Odeon, Paris 1907
7. Boheme (Puccini) Je suis poete BA 27116 Edison 4-min cylinders, Paris 1908-1909
8. Bohème (Puccini): Quatuor, pt 2 (w. Lauger-Dubois, Dubois & Billot) 56151 XP3689-2 Odeon, Paris 1907
9. Carmen (Bizet) La fleur 1261 Supra-Disque
10. Carmen (Bizet) Parle-moi de ma mère (w. Laute-Brun) BA 27114 Edison 4-min cylinders, Paris 1908-1909
11. Faust (Gounod) Cavatine Edison BA 27015 Edison 4-min cylinders, Paris 1908-1909
12. Faust (Gounod) Cavatine 8414 Homophone, 27-03-1906
13. Faust (Gounod) Prenez mon bras un moment… Eh quoi! Toujours seule (w. Landouzy, Lauger-Dubois & Ananian) 56090, 56091, XP3527, XP3528 Odeon, Paris 1907-09
14. Faust (Gounod) Trio with Lauger Dubois and Fournets 8392 Homophone
15. Lakmé (Delibes) C’est le Dieu de la jeunesse (w. Landouzy) 56171 XP3765 Odeon, Paris 1907
16. Lakmé (Delibes) Oubliez que je l’ai vu (w. Landouzy) 56168 XP3756 Odeon, Paris 1907
17. Le Prophète (Meyerbeer) Roi du ciel 3-32785 5594h G&T, Paris 1908