A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Maurel, Victor

MAUREL, Victor, born at Marseilles, received instruction at the Paris Conservatoire in singing from Vauthrot, and in opera from Duvernoy, and gained the first prizes in both subjects, co-equal with Gailhard, in 1867. He made his début at the Opéra as De Nevers and Conte di Luna in or about 1869. He was next in Italy, where he played the Cacique on the production of Gomes's 'Guarany' at Milan, March 19, 1870. He made his début at the Royal Italian Opera as Renato, April 21, 1873, made a great success, and was engaged there every year until 1879 inclusive. His parts comprised Don Giovanni, Tell, Almaviva, Hoel, Peter the Great, Valentine, Hamlet, the Cacique; in operas new to England, Telramund, May 8, 1875; Wolfram, May 6, 1876; the Flying Dutchman, June 16, 1877, and Domingo in Massé's 'Paul and Virginia,' June 1, 1878. He reappeared at the French Opéra as Hamlet, Nov. 28, 1879, and also played Amonasro on the production there of 'Aïda,' March 22, 1880. He undertook the management with Corti of the Italian Opera at the Théâtre des Nations with disastrous financial results, in spite of a company including Mesdames Marimon, Adler-Dévri{e`}}s, Nevada, and Tremelli, Gayarré, the brothers De Reszke, and himself, and the successful production of Massenet's 'Hérodiade,' Feb. 1, 1884. He played at the Opéra Comique, Peter, Oct. 6, 1885, and Zampa, Jan. 19, 1886, with great success. He played again at Covent Garden in 1886, and at Drury Lane for the first time in 1887 in favourite parts. Between these engagements he created, with the greatest success, Iago in Verdi's 'Otello,' Feb. 5, 1887, and showed himself the best acting baritone on the Italian stage since Faure.

[ A. C. ]