Oudin, Eugene Esperance

1858-1894

Barytone operatic and concertsinger; born of French parents in New York City. Studied music under Moderati, graduated from Yale and was for a time a practising lawyer, but on going to London he was persuaded to become a professional singer. He made a great success at private concerts while in London, and made his debut as an opera-singer at Wallack's Theatre, New York, in 1888, in a comic opera by Victor Roger. After a successful run in New York the company made a tour of the country, and while at Detroit Oudin married Miss Louise Parker, the leading lady. In 1889 Mr. Oudin was again singing at concerts in London, and two years later took the part of the Templar in Mr. Sullivan's Ivanhoe at the Royal English Opera House, and in 1892 played the leading role in Eugen Onegin, by Tschaikowsky, and of Henri Quatre Ma Mie Rosette, by Lacome. He went to Russia in 1893; returned to England in 1894, made an especially great success of Dr. Marianus music in Schumann's Faust, and died not long after from a stroke of apoplexy. His flexible voice and excellent interpretation of the romantic and sentimental in music made him greatly sought after. He translated many modern songs, and also wrote the words and music of a few songs.