Taskin, Alexandra

1853-1897

Grandson of Henry Joseph Taskin, the composer and organist; born in Paris. At the Paris Conservatory he studied singing under Bussini and Ponchard and won honorable mention. His voice developed into a fine barytone, and he made his operatic debut in 1875 at Amiens, singing in Les Mousquetaires de la Reine. After singing at Lille and Geneva he returned to Paris in 1878, and in 1880 began an engagement at the Opera Comique, where he may be said to have created roles in many new operas, among them Manon, Esclarmonde, Jean de Nivelles, Egmpnt, and Les Contes d'Hoffmann. Besides singing at the Opera Comique he taught lyrical declamation at the Paris Conservatory. He died in Paris.