Gayarré, Julian

1844-1890

Opera singer of Italian descent, who was born in Spain. His parents were poor, but the Spanish musician Eslava assisted him to study in the Conservatory of Madrid. Singing first in public in a subordinate part, his debut as soloist was remarkably successful. From 1873 to 1877 he sang at Rome, Milan, Vienna, St. Petersburg and in South America, then made his real debut at Convent Garden as Fernando in La Favorita, and was at first hailed as a second Mario. He thereafter appeared successfully in various operas of Wagner, Verdi, Weber, Gounod, Bellini, and others. In 1887 he reappeared at Covent Garden as the tenor in Glinka's Vie pour le Czar, then first performed in London, he having been engaged for several years previous in different cities of Continental Europe. He is said to have been an " admirable Lohengrin, and unrivaled as Gennaro in Lucrezia Borgia, as Jean de Leyden in Le Prophete, and Enzo in Ponchielli's Giacpnda." From 1877 to 1887 Gayarre was the most interesting tenor in London opera. His character was remarkable among men of his profession from the fact that, remembering his earlier days of poverty, he passed on to others the aid he had received, and among other worthy deeds founded a school for Spanish singing students in cramped circumstances. He died at Madrid, much regretted.