Périer, Jean (Alexis)

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Périer, Jean (Alexis)

Périer, Jean (Alexis) , French baritone; b. Paris, Feb. 2, 1869; d. there, Nov. 3, 1954. He studied at the Paris Cons., obtaining the premier prix for singing (1892). He made his debut at the Paris Opéra-Comique as Monostatos in Die Zauberflöte on Dec. 16, 1892; was engaged there until 1894, and again from 1900 to 1920. He created the role of Pélleas at the premiere of Debussy’s opera (1902), and sang the leading tenor parts in several other premieres of French operas; sang at N.Y/s Manhattan Opera House (1908). A talented comedian, Périer also appeared in variety shows in Paris. He pubi, an instructive album, Mes exercises, tirés des chansons populates de France (Paris, 1917).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire