- Camille du Locle
Camille du Locle (16 July 1832 to 9 October 1903) was a French theatre director and a librettist. He was born in Orange, France. From 1862 he served as assistant to his father-in-law Emile Perrin at the Paris Opéra, moving in 1870 to the
Opéra-Comique .He is best remembered for mounting the original production of
Bizet 's "Carmen " in 1875. His friendship withErnest Reyer led to him providing libretti for "Sigurd " and "Salammbô". Du Locle was responsible for completing the libretto of "Don Carlos " after the death of Joseph Mery. [Huebner S. Camille Du Locle in "The New Grove Dictionary of Opera" ed Sadie S. London & New York, Macmillan, 1997.] He also played a key role in the genesis of "Aida " in 1869-70. In 1876 a financial dispute arose with Verdi, and Du Locle moved to Capri. [Budden J. "Verdi". London, J M Dent & Sons, 1985.] According to Charles Pigot, Du Locle inspired the subject, words and music of Bizet's "Djamileh ". He was a pall-bearer at Bizet's funeral and made a speech at his interment at Père Lachaise. [Dean W. "Bizet". London, J M Dent & Sons, 1978.]References
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