Chollet, Jean Baptiste Marie

1798-1892

A great singer, who was born in Paris and studied singing and the violin at the Paris Conservatory from 1804 until 1816, gaining in 1814 the solfeggio prize. He became a chorus singer and later sang in the provinces with great success, despite many defects in his mezzo voice. He sang in many of Auber's and Herold's operas, notably Fra Diavolo, Zampa and others, at the Opera Comique, where he was engaged from 1826 until 1832. Later he appeared at The Hague, as director of the opera, and reappeared at Paris as a singer with Mitchell's company. He made his farewell appearance at a benefit at the Opera Comique in 1872. He died at Nemours in 1892.