Gresse, André. (1868-1937)
Signed Photograph as Wotan
Original Benque of Paris cabinet photograph of the great French bass, signed and inscribed at the head. Gresse is pictured in Wagnerian costume with a braid and a feathered helmet, and has inscribed the picture to a M. Louis Messon, dated Paris, July 28, 1889. Very light foxing; overall in very fine condition. 5.25 x 8.5 inches (13.4 x 21.4 cm).Until his retirement in 1930, he belonged to the most prominent singers of the Paris Grand Opéra. On 10. 2. 1910 he created at the Opera House in Monte Carlo in the premiere of Massenet’s ‘’Don Quichotte’’ the role of Sancho Panza, while Fedor Schaljapin appeared as Don Quichotte. He also sang in the premieres of the operas ‘’Sapho’’ of Massenet (Opéra-Comique, 27. 11. 1897 as Césaire), ‘’Le Juif Polonais’’ by Camille Erlanger (Opéra-Comique, 11. 4. 1900), ‘’Bacchus’’ of Massenet (Grand Opéra, 2. 5. 1909), ‘’Le Miracle’’ by Georges Húe (30. 12. 1910 Grand Opéra) and ‘’Scémo’’ of Alfred Bachelet (6. 5. 1914 Grand Opéra). He sang at the Grand Opéra in the premières of several Wagner's operas and, besides, sang the parts of the Fasolt (‘’Rheingold’’, 1909), Titurel (‘’Parsifal’’, 1914) and Marke (‘’Tristan’’, 1904, after the French première at the Nouveau Théâtre inParis, 1899). Approximately thirty years he was the famous Mephisto of the Grand Opéra in Gounod’s ‘’Faust’’. After his retirement from the stage, he worked as a professor at the Paris Conservatory, where one of his numerous pupils was the baritone Martial Singher. (13424)
Signed Photograph Opera