Francis Chassaigne
Encyclopedia
Francis Chassaigne (30 October 1847 – 21 December 1922) was a Belgian
-born French composer of operetta
s, songs, and numerous pieces of dance music for piano. The English language versions of his operettas, Le droit d'aînesse (1883) and Les noces improvisées (1886) became very popular in Britain and the United States. Chassaigne was married to the Swiss-born operetta singer Louise Roland.
in 1847, Chassaigne studied music there before settling in Paris. His first compositions were popular songs for the operetta stars of the day such as "Jeanne la Sabotière" for Thérésa and "Peureuse" for Louise Théo
. By the mid-1870s he had become a prolific composer of one-act opéras bouffes
and saynètes (short musical plays) for the café-concert
s of Paris, most of which premiered at the Eldorado. In 1882, he was given the chance to compose his first full-length operetta by Jules Brasseur, the director of the Théâtre des Nouveautés
. Dedicated to Brasseur, Chassaigne's three-act Le droit d'aînesse with a libretto
by Eugène Leterrier
and Albert Vanloo
premiered at the Nouveautés on 27 January 1883. It was only a partial success, but its English version Falka
, with a libretto translated and adapted by Henry Farnie
, was popular in English-speaking countries for many years.
His second full-length operetta, Les noces improvisées premiered at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens
on 13 February 1886. The English version, Nadgy (or Nadjy), with a libretto translated and adapted by Alfred Murray premiered at the Casino Theatre
in New York on May 14, 1888, and again proved very popular. On the strength of these successes the theatrical producer, Rudolph Aronson, commissioned another opera directly from Chassaigne with the libretto to be written by Henry Farnie. Farnie died in 1889 having completed only an outline of the work, which he had called La Mexicana. In the end, the libretto was written by Max Pemberton
, Edgar Smith, and William Lestocq, and called The Brazilian. It premiered at the Theatre Royal
in Newcastle upon Tyne
on 19 April 1890. Its American premiere followed in October of that year at Aronson's Casino Theatre in New York. However, The Brazilian did not achieve the same success as Falka and Nadgy. According to Aronson's memoirs, Chaissaigne had planned to compose a further operetta for him, based on Louis XIV at Versailles
, but this was never completed.
Chassaigne was married to the Swiss-born operetta and vaudeville
singer Louise Roland who appeared frequently at the Théâtre des Variétés
. Both she and Chassaigne were members of Les Hydropathes, a famous Parisian literary club founded by the French writer Émile Goudeau, many of whose members where singers and stage artists. The daughter of a theatre director, Roland was born in 1851 and began performing at the age of five. She created a number of roles in the operettas of the day and was also an accomplished dancer. After her retirement from the stage, she had a successful career touring as a concert singer, often accompanied on the piano by Chassaigne. In 1912, the couple published Servatoire, described as a three-act comédie vocale (sung comedy). Chassaigne died in Le Raincy
in 1922 at the age of 75. Louise Roland died sometime after 1924.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
-born French composer of operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
s, songs, and numerous pieces of dance music for piano. The English language versions of his operettas, Le droit d'aînesse (1883) and Les noces improvisées (1886) became very popular in Britain and the United States. Chassaigne was married to the Swiss-born operetta singer Louise Roland.
Biography
Born Désiré-François Chassaigne in BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
in 1847, Chassaigne studied music there before settling in Paris. His first compositions were popular songs for the operetta stars of the day such as "Jeanne la Sabotière" for Thérésa and "Peureuse" for Louise Théo
Louise Théo
Louise Théo , born in Paris, 1854, died there 24 January 1922, was a French singer who gained popularity in operetta in France from the 1870s to the end of the 19th century. She created several leading roles in works by Offenbach, and also toured to the USA.-Life and career:She began singing as a...
. By the mid-1870s he had become a prolific composer of one-act opéras bouffes
Opéra bouffe
Opéra bouffe is a genre of late 19th-century French operetta, closely associated with Jacques Offenbach, who produced many of them at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens that gave its name to the form....
and saynètes (short musical plays) for the café-concert
Café-chantant
Café chantant is a type of musical establishment associated with the belle époque in France. Although there is much overlap of definition with cabaret, music hall, vaudeville, etc. the café chantant was originally an outdoor café where small groups of performers performed popular music for the...
s of Paris, most of which premiered at the Eldorado. In 1882, he was given the chance to compose his first full-length operetta by Jules Brasseur, the director of the Théâtre des Nouveautés
Théâtre des Nouveautés
The name Théâtre des Nouveautés has been used successively to refer to several different Parisian theatre companies and their buildings, beginning in 1827...
. Dedicated to Brasseur, Chassaigne's three-act Le droit d'aînesse with a libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Eugène Leterrier
Eugène Leterrier
Eugène Leterrier was a French librettist.Leterrier worked at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris but then turned to the theatre. He mainly collaborated in writing libretti with Albert Vanloo. Their working relationship was productive and stress-free...
and Albert Vanloo
Albert Vanloo
Albert Vanloo was a Belgian librettist and playwright.Vanloo lived in Paris as a child and was attracted to the theatre. As a young student he began writing plays and opéra comique libretti, notably with Eugène Leterrier who remained his main collaborator until the latter's death in 1884...
premiered at the Nouveautés on 27 January 1883. It was only a partial success, but its English version Falka
Falka
Le droit d'aînesse is an opéra bouffe, a form of operetta, in three acts by Francis Chassaigne with a French libretto by Eugène Leterrier and Albert Vanloo. It premiered in Paris in 1883...
, with a libretto translated and adapted by Henry Farnie
Henry Brougham Farnie
Henry Brougham Farnie , often called H. B. Farnie, was a British librettist and adapter of French operettas and an author...
, was popular in English-speaking countries for many years.
His second full-length operetta, Les noces improvisées premiered at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens
Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens
The Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens is a Parisian theatre which was founded in 1855 by the composer Jacques Offenbach for the performance of opéra bouffe and operetta. The current theatre is located in the 2nd arrondissement at 4 rue Monsigny with an entrance at the back at 65 Passage Choiseul. In...
on 13 February 1886. The English version, Nadgy (or Nadjy), with a libretto translated and adapted by Alfred Murray premiered at the Casino Theatre
Casino Theatre
The Casino Theatre was a Broadway theatre from 1882 to 1930 in New York City. It was located at 1404 Broadway, at W. 39th Street. It originally seated approximately 875 people, but after a fire in 1903 and rebuilding in 1905, it seated 1,300...
in New York on May 14, 1888, and again proved very popular. On the strength of these successes the theatrical producer, Rudolph Aronson, commissioned another opera directly from Chassaigne with the libretto to be written by Henry Farnie. Farnie died in 1889 having completed only an outline of the work, which he had called La Mexicana. In the end, the libretto was written by Max Pemberton
Max Pemberton
Sir Max Pemberton was a popular British novelist, working mainly in the adventure and mystery genres. He was educated at St Albans School, Merchant Taylors' School, and Caius College, Cambridge...
, Edgar Smith, and William Lestocq, and called The Brazilian. It premiered at the Theatre Royal
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
The Theatre Royal is a Grade I listed building situated on Grey Street in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was designed by local architects John and Benjamin Green as part of Richard Grainger's grand design for the centre of Newcastle, and was opened on 20 February 1837 with a performance of The Merchant...
in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
on 19 April 1890. Its American premiere followed in October of that year at Aronson's Casino Theatre in New York. However, The Brazilian did not achieve the same success as Falka and Nadgy. According to Aronson's memoirs, Chaissaigne had planned to compose a further operetta for him, based on Louis XIV at Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
, but this was never completed.
Chassaigne was married to the Swiss-born operetta and vaudeville
Comédie en vaudeville
The Comédie en vaudeville was a theatrical entertainment which began in Paris towards the end of the 17th century, in which comedy was enlivened though lyrics using the melody of popular vaudeville songs.-Evolution:...
singer Louise Roland who appeared frequently at the Théâtre des Variétés
Théâtre des Variétés
The Théâtre des Variétés is a theatre and "salle de spectacles" at 7, boulevard Montmartre, 2nd arrondissement, in Paris. It was declared a monument historique in 1975.-History:...
. Both she and Chassaigne were members of Les Hydropathes, a famous Parisian literary club founded by the French writer Émile Goudeau, many of whose members where singers and stage artists. The daughter of a theatre director, Roland was born in 1851 and began performing at the age of five. She created a number of roles in the operettas of the day and was also an accomplished dancer. After her retirement from the stage, she had a successful career touring as a concert singer, often accompanied on the piano by Chassaigne. In 1912, the couple published Servatoire, described as a three-act comédie vocale (sung comedy). Chassaigne died in Le Raincy
Le Raincy
Le Raincy is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. Le Raincy is a sub-prefecture of the Seine-Saint-Denis department and the seat of the Arrondissement of Le Raincy....
in 1922 at the age of 75. Louise Roland died sometime after 1924.
Works
Stage works- Un coq en jupons (libretto by Gaston Villemer); premiered at the Alcazar d'ÉtéAlcazar d'ÉtéThe Alcazar d'Été was a Café-concert which opened in 1860, located on the Champs-Élysées at 8 Avenue Gabriel in Paris, and closed in 1914.The old Café Morel behind the Élysée Palace was acquired in 1869 by Arsène Goubert who at the time was owner of the "Alcazar" at 10 Rue du Faubourg Poissonière. ...
, 1870 - La bergère de Bougival (libretto by Gaston Villemer and Lucien Delormel); premiered at the Eldorado, 1872
- Les horreurs du carnaval (libretto by Auguste Jouhaud); premiered at the Eldorado, 1873
- Une double clé (libretto by Jules de Rieux); premiered at the Eldorado, 1873
- Monsieur Auguste (libretto by Jules de Rieux); premiered at the Eldorado, 1873
- Le professeur de tyrolienne (libretto by Gaston Villemer and Lucien Delormel); premiered at the Eldorado, 1874
- Un table de café (libretto by Jules de Reiux and A. Guyon); premiered at the Eldorado, 1874
- Deux mauvaises bonnes (libretto by Louis Péricaud and Lucien Delormel); premiered at the Eldorado, 1876
- Les enfants de la balle (libretto by Louis Péricaud and Lucien Delormel); premiered at the Eldorado, 1877
- La famille de Paméla (libretto by Louis Péricaud and Lucien Delormel); premiered at the Eldorado, 1877
- Actéon et le centaure Chiron (libretto by Adolphe De LeuvenAdolphe de LeuvenAdolphe de Leuven was a French theatre director and a librettist. Also known as Grenvallet, and Count Adolph Ribbing. He was the son of Adolph Ribbing....
); premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-RoyalThéâtre du Palais-RoyalThe Théâtre du Palais-Royal is a 750 seat theatre at 38, rue Montpensier in Paris. In 1637 Cardinal Richelieu began work on a theatre on the east wing of the Palais-Royal building, to break the theatre monopoly of the Hôtel de Bourgogne, and it was opened in 1641...
, Paris, 24 January 1878 - L'américaine (libretto by Alphonse Siégel); premiered at the Eldorado, 1878
- La tache de sang! (libretto by Gaston Marot); premiered at the Eldorado, 1878
- Le conciergicide (libretto by Hermil and Numès); premiered at the Eldorado, 1879
- Zizi (libretto by Alphonse Siégel); premiered at the Eldorado, 1881
- Le droit d'aînesse (libretto by Eugène LeterrierEugène LeterrierEugène Leterrier was a French librettist.Leterrier worked at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris but then turned to the theatre. He mainly collaborated in writing libretti with Albert Vanloo. Their working relationship was productive and stress-free...
and Albert VanlooAlbert VanlooAlbert Vanloo was a Belgian librettist and playwright.Vanloo lived in Paris as a child and was attracted to the theatre. As a young student he began writing plays and opéra comique libretti, notably with Eugène Leterrier who remained his main collaborator until the latter's death in 1884...
); premiered at the Théâtre des Nouveautés, Paris, 27 January 1883. The English version, Falka, with a libretto translated and adapted by Henry FarnieHenry Brougham FarnieHenry Brougham Farnie , often called H. B. Farnie, was a British librettist and adapter of French operettas and an author...
premiered at the Comedy Theatre in London on 29 October 1883. - Les noces improvisées (libretto by Armand Liorat and Albert Fonteny); premiered at the Théâtre des Bouffes ParisiensThéâtre des Bouffes ParisiensThe Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens is a Parisian theatre which was founded in 1855 by the composer Jacques Offenbach for the performance of opéra bouffe and operetta. The current theatre is located in the 2nd arrondissement at 4 rue Monsigny with an entrance at the back at 65 Passage Choiseul. In...
, Paris, 13 February 1886. The English version, Nadgy, with a libretto translated and adapted by Alfred Murray premiered at the Casino TheatreCasino TheatreThe Casino Theatre was a Broadway theatre from 1882 to 1930 in New York City. It was located at 1404 Broadway, at W. 39th Street. It originally seated approximately 875 people, but after a fire in 1903 and rebuilding in 1905, it seated 1,300...
in New York on May 14, 1888. - The Brazilian (libretto by Max Pemberton, Edgar Smith, and William Lestocq); premiered at the Theatre RoyalTheatre Royal, NewcastleThe Theatre Royal is a Grade I listed building situated on Grey Street in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was designed by local architects John and Benjamin Green as part of Richard Grainger's grand design for the centre of Newcastle, and was opened on 20 February 1837 with a performance of The Merchant...
, Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
on 19 April 1890
Sources
- Aronson, Rudolph (1913). Theatrical and Musical Memoirs. New York: McBride, Nast and Company
- Caradec, François and Weill, Alain (2007). Le café-concert: 1848-1914. Paris: Fayard. ISBN 2213631247
- Fétis, François-Joseph and Pougin, Arthur (1880). Biographie universelle des musiciens et bibliographie générale de la musique. Paris: Firmin-Didot
- Gänzl, Kurt (1994). The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre, Volume 1. New York: Schirmer Books. ISBN 0028714458
- Goudeau, Émile (1888/2000). Dix ans de bohème (edited and annotated by Michel Golfier, Jean-Didier Wagneur, Patrick Ramseyer). Seyssel: Champ Vallon, 2000. ISBN 9782876732872
- Paulus (Jean-Paul Habans) (circa 1906) Trente ans de Café-concert. Paris: Societe d'edition et de publications.
- Roland, Louise; Chassaigne, Francis; Dreux, Jane Aymard (1912). Servatoire, comédie vocale en 3 actes, en prose rimée et rythmée. Villemomble: H. Réfaud