Alvarez (real name, Gourron), Albert (Raymond)

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Alvarez (real name, Gourron), Albert (Raymond)

Alvarez (real name, Gourron), Albert (Raymond), French tenor; b. Cenon, near Bordeaux, May 16, 1861; d. Nice, Feb. 1, 1933. After studying with Martini in Paris, he made his operatic debut as Faust in Ghent in 1887. He then sang in Lyons and Marseilles before returning to Paris to make his debut at the Opéra as Faust in 1892. In 1894 he created the role of Nicias in Thai’s there. He made his first appearance at London’s Covent Garden in 1893 as Leicester in de Lara’s Amy Robsart. In 1894 he created the role of Aragui in La Navarraise there. On Dec. 12, 1899, he made his debut with the Metropolitan Opera as Roméo during the company’s visit to Boston, and then made his formal debut with it in N.Y. in the same role on Dec. 18, 1899. He remained on its roster until 1903, finding success as Radames, Otello, and Canio. Thereafter he taught voice in Paris.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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Alvarez (real name, Gourron), Albert (Raymond)

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