Victor Warot
Victor Alexandre Warot (18 September 1834, Verviers – April 1906) was a Belgian opera singer. He began his career as a lyric tenor but later grew into a fine dramatic singer. He was particularly known for his portrayal of Wagner and Meyerbeer heroes.[1]
Biography
Born in Verviers, Warot studied initially with his father and then in Paris with Giulio Alary. He made his professional opera début at the Opéra-Comique in 1858 in Armand Limnander's Les monténégrins. The following year he created the role of the Reaper in the premiere of Meyerbeer's Dinorah. In 1860 he sang the role of Beppe in the premiere of Donizetti's Rita.
From 1861 until 1869 he was engaged at the Paris Opera. While there he portrayed roles in several world premieres, including Tebaldo in Victor Massé’s La mule de Pedro (1863) and Don Alvaro in Meyerbeer's L'Africaine (1865). He also sang Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, the title hero in Le comte Ory, Henri in Les vêpres siciliennes, and Masaniello in La muette de Portici.[1]
Warot was committed to La Monnaie from 1868–1876 where he portrayed such parts as Riccardo in Un ballo in maschera, Manrico in Il trovatore, Erik in The Flying Dutchman, the title role in Tannhäuser, Raoul in Les Huguenots, Eléazar in La Juive, and John of Leyden in Le prophète. From 1876 until his retirement from the stage in 1888 he remained active as a freelance artist at major opera houses in France and Belgium.[1]
Warot devoted himself to teaching singing after his opera career ended, ultimately being appointed to the faculty of the Paris Conservatoire. A number of his pupils went on to have successful careers, including Lucienne Bréval, Edmond Clément, Jeanne Hatto, and Lina Pacary. In 1902 he published a book, Bréviaire du chanteur. He died in Bois-Colombes.[1]
References
|