Description

RENÉ VERDIÈRE (TOURNEHEM, 26 JULY, 1899 – PARIS, 6 MAY, 1981)

After enlisting as a volunteer in 1917 during World War I, Verdière pursued vocal studies at the Music School in Calais and later at the Conservatoire National in Paris. His operatic debut came in 1926 at the Grand Opéra, where he performed as Max in Der Freischütz. He subsequently enjoyed a long and successful career at both the Grand Opéra and, starting in 1930, the Opéra Comique.

At the Opéra Comique, Verdière took part in notable productions, including the 1935 original production of Gargantua by Antoine Mariotte. He also became a sought-after guest artist, appearing at prestigious venues such as Covent Garden in London and the Monte Carlo Opera. In 1936, he made a memorable substitution at Covent Garden, stepping in as Julien in Charpentier’s Louise. He was particularly renowned for his interpretation of heroic roles, excelling in the French repertoire as well as in Wagnerian operas.

Chronology of some appearances

1926 Paris Grand Opéra Der Freischütz (Max)

1930 Paris Opéra-Comique

1935 Paris Opéra-Comique Gargantua (-)

1936 London Convent Garden Louise (Julien)

1945 Paris Opéra-Comique

1948 Monte Carlo Opera House

1949 Monte Carlo Opera House

TRACKLIST

1. Aïda (Verdi) Celeste Aïda 123025 xxP 7008 Odeon, Paris 1930-01-21
2. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner) Air du concours 123016 xxP 6935 Odeon, Paris 1929-07-26
3. Die Walküre (Wagner) Chanson de printemps Odeon 188034 Ki 2587
4. Die Walküre (Wagner) Siegmund suis-je (w. Lubin) Odeon 123683 xxP 7023 1930-02-04
5. Guillaume Tell (Rossini) Asil hereditaire 188041 Ki 2886 Odeon, Paris 1930-01-21
6. Hérodiade (Massenet) Ne pouwant supprimer les elans 123016 xxP 6942 Odeon, Paris 1929-07-27
7. La Juive (Halevy) Dieu, que ma voix tremblante 188034 Ki 2640 Odeon, Paris 1929-09-27
8. 9. L’Africaine (Meyerbeer) O paradis… Conduisez-moi 188033, 188033 Ki 2588, Ki 2589 Odeon, Paris 1929-07-29
9. L’attaque du moulin (Bruneau) Adieux à la forêt 123035 xxP 7257 Odeon, Paris 1931-03-11
10. Lohengrin (Wagner) Mein lieber Schwan! unknown xxP 7226 Odeon, Paris 1931-01-14
11. Lohengrin (Wagner) Recit du Graal 123020 xxP 6958 Odeon, Paris 1929-11-30
12. Otello (Verdi) Par le ciel (w. Endrèze) 123788 xxP 7280 Odeon, Paris 1931-05-15
13. Parsifal (Wagner) Une arme seule est sure xxP 7225 Odeon, Paris 1931-01-14
14. Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saëns) Arrêtez, ô mes frères 123.012 xxP6895 Odeon, Paris 1929-05-21
15. Siegfried (Wagner) Chant de forge 123020 xxP 6959 Odeon, Paris 1929-11-30
16. Sigurd (Reyer) Esprits gardiens 123.012 xxP6919 Odeon, Paris 1929-07-04
17. Sigurd (Reyer) Un souvenir poignant 188044 Ki 3942 Odeon, Paris 188044 Ki 3942 1930-12-11
18. Tannhäuser (Wagner) Hymne a Venus 123025 xxP 7057 Odeon, Paris 123025 xxP 7057 1930-04-09
19. Trovatore (Verdi) Miserere, pt 1 and pt 2 (w. Martinelli) 188.043, 188.043 Ki3154, Ki3155 Odeon, Paris 1930-03-13
20. Werther (Massenet) Un autre est son epoux 188079 A Ki 4431 Odeon, Paris 1931-05-15