Eugène Vauthier

Eugène Vauthier (29 September 1843 – 11 November 1910) was a French baritone whose career was in comic operas by Offenbach, Lecocq, Hervé and other composers of the genre. From 1869 until his retirement in 1905 he was a member of successive Parisian theatre companies, and also made occasional appearances in London.

Life and career

Vauthier was born in Auxerre in 1843. From childhood he was passionate about the theatre, and after learning his craft in the French provinces he made his Paris début in 1869 in an opéra-bouffe, ''Le Canard à trois becs'' – the duck with three beaks – at the Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques. His acting and singing were received with enthusiasm."Eugène Vauthier"
''Le Figaro'', 12 November 1910, p. 2

After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, Vauthier joined the companies of the Athénée-Lyrique and later the Théâtre de la Renaissance. At the Athénée he made an impression in ''Monsieur Polichinelle'' by Alfred Deléhelle and ''La Guzla de l'émir'', by Théodore Dubois."Nécrologie"
''Le Ménestrel'', 19 November 1910, p. 376 After a year away from France, performing in Cairo, he established himself as a star at the Renaissance with his portrayal of Mourzouk in Charles Lecocq's ''Giroflé-Girofla'' in 1874. From then on, in the words of ''Le Figaro'', "for more than twenty years, in full possession of the favour of the public, he created or re-created roles in the principal operettas, each new interpretation adding to his reputation". In the view of ''Le Ménestrel'', "as an actor he had drive, verve, and a big and very outgoing gaiety". His most successful appearances, singled out by ''Le Figaro'', included:
*'' La petite mariée'' (1876)
*''Le petit duc'' (1878)
*'' La Camargo'' (1878)
*''Madame Favart'' (1878)
*'' La fille du tambour-major'' (1879)
*'' Le cœur et la main'' (1882)
*'' Le droit d'aînesse'' 1883)
*''Orphée aux enfers'' (1887 revival)
*''La fille de Madame Angot'' (1888 revival)
*''Le jour et la nuit'' (1897 revival).

In the 1870s and later Vauthier was seen by audiences in London as well as in Paris. In 1872 he played the Marquis in Hervé's '' L'œil crevé'' in the West End; and in 1881 he was in ''Giroflé-Girofla''. In 1890 he guest-starred with the Carl Rosa Opera Company for a five-week London season."This Morning's News", ''The Daily News'', 15 March 1890, p. 5

Vauthier played the role of the Mufti in Molière's ''Le Bourgeois gentilhomme'' at the Comédie-Française, in which, according to ''Le Figaro'' "he was exquisite". His last operatic creation was Squire Alcofribas in Claude Terrasse's opéra bouffe ''Sire de Vergy'', at the Théâtre des Variétés in 1903. In 1905 Fernand Samuel, director of the Variétés, organised a benefit performance for Vauthier, who then retired from the stage and settled in Cassis in the Riviera.

Vauthier died in Cassis on 11 November 1910, aged 67.

References

{{Reflist

1843 births
1910 deaths
French operatic baritones
19th-century French male opera singers
20th-century French male opera singers