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. Les Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Plus blanche 2040 5228 Neron
2. Les Huguenots (Meyerbeer) Sous le beau ciel 3-32773 5367h G&T, Paris 1907
3. Manon (Massenet): Nous irons à Paris (w. Landouzy) 56167 XP3750 Odeon, Paris 1907
4. Mireille (Gounod) Chanson de Magali (w. Landouzy) 56166 XP3749 Odeon, Paris 1907
5. Pêcheurs de perles (Bizet): Au fond du temple saint… Mais à travers la foule (w. Rigaux) 60450, 60451, XP3618, XP3619, Odeon, Paris 1907
6. Pensée d’automne (Massenet) BA 27113 Edison
7. Rigoletto (Verdi) Ballade 3-32774 5368h G&T, Paris 1907
8. Rigoletto (Verdi) La donna è mobile 7294 Trianon
9. Romeo and Juliet (Gounod) Cavatine 30013 Edison 4-min cylinders, Paris 1908-1909
10. Roméo et Juliette (Gounod) Ah, lève-toi, soleil 33227 Odeon
11. Roméo et Juliette (Gounod) Ah, lève-toi, soleil 1261 Supra-Disque
12. Sigurd (Reyer) Esprits gardiens 33222 Odeon
13. Sigurd (Reyer) Guardian Spirits BA 27123 Edison 4-min cylinders, Paris 1908-1909
14. Traviata (Verdi) Loin de Paris (w. Landouzy) 56163 XP3665 Odeon, Paris 1907-09
15. Traviata (Verdi) Septuor (w. Lauger-Dubois, Régis, Rigaux, Billot, Maletti & Landouzy) 56146 XP3644 Odeon, Paris 1907
16. Werther (Massenet) O nature 7292 Trianon