He studied voice first at the conservatories of Bordeaux and Paris, and made his debut at the
Paris Théâtre-Lyrique in 1877. The following year, he joined the Opéra-Comique, where he would stay for
the rest of his life, and become one of that theater's greatest stars ever.
He sang in four world premieres of historic importance: Les contes d'Hoffmann on 10 February 1881 (Hoffmann, his most
famous role), Lakmé on 14 April 1883 (Gérald), Manon on 19 January 1884 (des Grieux) and Le roi
d'Ys on 7 May 1888 (Mylio). He also created, surprisingly for someone who sang des Grieux and Mylio, Samson for Paris (31
October 1890).
Other important roles in his repertory: Tamino, Joseph, Fernand, Edgardo, Raoul, Wilhelm Meister, Roméo, Selim (La
statue by Reyer). He was also a noted concert singer.
Guest appearances in Monte Carlo (1883, 1887–89), Lisbon (1887), at La Monnaie (1889) and Covent Garden (1889).
Reference 1, reference 2, reference 3: Kutsch & Riemens
