Jean-Baptiste Faure

Jean-Baptiste Faure (15 January, 1830 - 9 November, 1914) [Baker, Theodore; rev. by Nicolas Slonimsky (1994) "The concise edition of Baker's biographical dictionary of musicians - 8th ed." New York: Schirmer Books, 289.] was a celebrated French baritone and composer.

Faure was born in Moulins. A choirboy in his youth, he entered the Paris Conservatory in 1851, and made his operatic debut the following year at the Opéra-Comique as Pygmalion in Massé's "Galathée". He debuted at Covent Garden in 1860, and at Paris Opéra in 1861.

Among the roles he sang were the leading parts in "Le Pardon de Ploermel," "L'Etoile du Nord," "Don Juan," and as Alphonse in "Le Favorite," the Duc de Nevers in "Les Huguenots," and Nelusko in "L'Africaine." He created several roles, including the title role in Ambroise Thomas' "Hamlet".

He wrote two books on singing, "La Voix et le Chant" (1886) and "Aux Jeunes Chanteurs" (1898), and taught at the Paris Conservatory from 1857 to 1860.

He composed several beloved songs, like "Sancta Maria", and most notably "Crucifix" and "Les Rameaux," both of which were recorded by Enrico Caruso.

He died in Paris. According to his obituary in the New York Times, he was an officer of the Legion of Honor. An avid collector of impressionist art, he sat for multiple portraits by Édouard Manet. He was married to singer Constance Caroline Lefèbvre (1828-1905).

Notes

References and links

* French Wikipedia article (even less complete than this one at the moment.)
* German Wikipedia article (some interesting additional facts.]
* [http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/opra/hod_59.129.htm Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Faure by Édouard Manet]
* [http://www.bridgemanartondemand.com/index.cfm?event=catalogue.product&productID=101564 Another portrait of Jean-Baptiste Faure by Édouard Manet]
* [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b77207951 More portraits at Gallica.]
* cite news
author=
title=Jean B. Faure, Singer, Oies at 84,
date=
work=New York Times
url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70617FD3C5C13738DDDA80994D9415B848DF1D3
accessdate=2008-08-08, November 11, 1914.
*WIMA|idx=J.B.Faure|name=Jean-Baptiste Faure
* [http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu:80/sheetmusic/a/a19/a1910/ Sheet music for "Les Rameaux"]