Maurel, Victor

1848-

One of the greatest living barytones; born at Marseilles, and began his stage career in the comedy and light opera there. He finally went to Paris, however, and studied at the Conservatory under both Vauthrot and Duvernoy, winning honors for his work with both teachers. He made his debut as De Nevers in Les Huguenots at Paris in 1869. He then toured America, Spain and Italy. He first appeared in London in 1873, taking the role of Renato at the Royal Italian Opera, and his first appearance in America took place the following year. In 1879 he returned to Paris, where he made a successful Hamlet and Amonasrq. He then took charge of the Italian Opera at the Theatre of Nations, now Sara Bernhardt's theatre, and though he surrounded himself with artists of the highest grade and produced Massenet's Herodiade with wonderful success, the venture resulted in financial disaster. He went back to comic opera, playing Zampa, Falstaff and Peter, and appeared again at Drury Lane and Covent Garden. His creation of the part of lago in Verdi's Otello in 1887 is his great artistic success. In 1893 he brought out Falstaff, and in 1896 he was the first to five the role of Mathias in Erlanger's uif Polonais. Among his best known parts are Don Giovanni, William Tell, Almaviva, Cacique, Wolfram in the Flying Dutchman, and Domingo in Masse's Paul and Virginia.