Maurice Lefèvre (1863-1917) was a Belgian poet, playwright and songwriter. He was a leading figure in Paris around the end of 19th century and start of the 20th century.

Life

Maurice Lefèvre was born in 1863. He became one of the best known artists at ''

Le Chat Noir (; French for "The Black Cat") was a 19th century entertainment establishment in the Montmartre district of Paris. It was opened on 18 November 1881 at 84 Boulevard de Rochechouart by impresario Rodolphe Salis, and closed in 1897 not long ...

''. He was co-author with Henri Vuagneux of the ballet/pantomime Scaramouche, with music by

André Messager André Charles Prosper Messager (; 30 December 1853 – 24 February 1929) was a French composer, organist, pianist and conductor. His compositions include eight ballets and thirty , opérettes and other stage works, among which his ballet (1 ...

(1853-1929). The artist

Jules Chéret Jules Chéret (31 May 1836 – 23 September 1932) was a French painter and lithographer who became a master of ''Belle Époque'' poster art. He has been called the father of the modern poster. Early life and career Born in Paris to a poor bu ...

(1836-1932) created a poster for the opening of the show on 17 October 1891 at the Nouveau-Théâtre at 15, rue Blanche. The mime

Félicia Mallet Félicia Mallet (1863–1928) was a French comedian, singer and pantomime artist. Career Félicia Mallet was born in Bordeaux in 1863. In 1887 she played the part of Giovanni Paisiello, the court composer, in the first staging of Victorien Sardo ...

played a starring role. Lefèvre admired Mallet and appeared with her at ''matinées-causeries'' at

La Bodinière The Théâtre La Bodinière was a theater in Paris directed by Charles Bodinier between 1890 and 1902. It staged lectures and performances for a distinguished audience of aristocrats, grand bourgeois and intelligentsia. Background Charles Bodin ...

. In these he talked about the ''chansons brutales'' which Mallet then sang. He dedicated his 1893 book ''À travers chants'' to Mallet, a book in which he defended the ''chanson populaire''. He was less enthusiastic about other singers. In an 1896 review Lefèvre describes, without naming her,

Yvette Guilbert Yvette Guilbert (; born Emma Laure Esther Guilbert, 20 January 1865 – 3 February 1944) was a French cabaret singer and actress of the Belle Époque. Biography Emma Laure Esther Guilbert was born in Paris on 20 January 1865 to a modestly w ...

. He said, In a 1912 essay in ''Le Monde artiste'' Lefevre criticized the excessive cosmopolitanism of Paris, calling for more emphasis on French culture. He said, "We need to do some soul searching, and ask ourselves whether our guests are becoming our masters." Maurice Lefèvre died in 1917.

Selected works

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References

Citations Sources * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lefevre, Maurice 1863 births 1917 deaths Belgian writers in French French male writers