Louise Théo
Encyclopedia
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.
. After a convent schooling she married and began a theatrical career, including a tour to Vienna where she was spotted by Offenbach. The composer engaged her at the Théâtre de la Renaissance
to create the title roles in Pomme d'api
and La jolie parfumeuse
(1873). She followed these with Cupidon in Orphée aux enfers, La Princesse de Trébizonde, La petite muette, La Timbale and Madame l'archiduc
(after which she toured to London with Daubray
), at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens.
She went on to sing in the premiere of Fleur d'Oranger at the Théâtre des Nouveautés
in 1878 and sang Cendrillon at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
in 1879, and Rataplan and Le Tour du Cadran at the Théâtre des Variétés
in 1880.
Other creations included Adam et Eve in 1881, Mlle Boniface in 1883, Dix jours aux Pyrénées in 1887 and Mimi in 1888.
Théo visited America in 1883 to appear at the Fifth Avenue Theater, and then toured; she returned the following year, appearing in François les bas-bleus
, La fille du tambour-major
and Giroflé-Girofla
.
She retired as the wife of a rich New York art-dealer.
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:...
in France from the 1870s to the end of the 19th century. She created several leading roles in works by Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach was a Prussian-born French composer, cellist and impresario. He is remembered for his nearly 100 operettas of the 1850s–1870s and his uncompleted opera The Tales of Hoffmann. He was a powerful influence on later composers of the operetta genre, particularly Johann Strauss, Jr....
, and also toured to the USA.
Life and career
She began singing as a child with her mother in a café-concert on the Champs-ÉlyséesChamps-Élysées
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a prestigious avenue in Paris, France. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets and one of the most expensive strip of real estate in the world. The name is...
. After a convent schooling she married and began a theatrical career, including a tour to Vienna where she was spotted by Offenbach. The composer engaged her at the Théâtre de la Renaissance
Théâtre de la Renaissance
The name Théâtre de la Renaissance has been used successively for three distinct Parisian theatre companies. The first two companies, which were short-lived enterprises in the 19th century, used the Salle Ventadour, now an office building on the Rue Méhul in the 2nd arrondissement.The current...
to create the title roles in Pomme d'api
Pomme d'api
Pomme d'api is a one-act opérette of 1873 by Jacques Offenbach with a French libretto by Ludovic Halévy and William Busnach.-Background:...
and La jolie parfumeuse
La jolie parfumeuse
La jolie parfumeuse is an opéra comique in three acts of 1873 with music by Jacques Offenbach. The French libretto was by Hector Crémieux and Ernest Blum.-Performance history:...
(1873). She followed these with Cupidon in Orphée aux enfers, La Princesse de Trébizonde, La petite muette, La Timbale and Madame l'archiduc
Madame l'archiduc
Madame l’archiduc is an opéra bouffe, or operetta in three acts, by Jacques Offenbach, with a French libretto by Albert Millaud first performed in Paris in 1874....
(after which she toured to London with Daubray
Daubray (actor)
Michel René Thibaut, known by his stage-name Daubray, born Nantes 7 May 1837, died Paris 10 September 1892 was a leading French actor and singer in operetta, active mainly in Paris but who also appeared around Europe.-Life and career:...
), at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens.
She went on to sing in the premiere of Fleur d'Oranger at 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...
in 1878 and sang Cendrillon at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
The Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin is a venerable theatre and opera house at 18, Boulevard Saint-Martin in the 10e arrondissement of Paris.- History :...
in 1879, and Rataplan and Le Tour du Cadran 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:...
in 1880.
Other creations included Adam et Eve in 1881, Mlle Boniface in 1883, Dix jours aux Pyrénées in 1887 and Mimi in 1888.
Théo visited America in 1883 to appear at the Fifth Avenue Theater, and then toured; she returned the following year, appearing in François les bas-bleus
François les bas-bleus
François les bas-bleus is an opéra comique in three acts of 1883, with a French libretto by Ernest Dubreuil, Eugène Humbert, Paul Burani, and music by Firmin Bernicat, completed by André Messager.-Background:...
, La fille du tambour-major
La fille du tambour-major
La fille du tambour-major is an opéra comique, or operetta, in three acts by Jacques Offenbach. The French libretto was written by Alfred Duru and Henri Charles Chivot ....
and Giroflé-Girofla
Giroflé-Girofla
Giroflé Girofla is an opéra bouffe in three acts of 1874 with music by Charles Lecocq. The French libretto was by Albert Vanloo and Eugène Leterrier.-Performance history:...
.
She retired as the wife of a rich New York art-dealer.