Lays, François

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Lays, François

Lays, François, French tenor; b. La Barthe de Nesthes, Feb. 14, 1758; d. Ingrande, near Angers, March 30, 1831. He studied theology and music at the Guaraison monastery. After settling in Paris, he joined the Opéra in 1780, where he appeared as one of its principal members until 1823. He also was engaged at court concerts and at the Concert Spirituel. From 1795 to 1799 he was prof, of voice at the Cons. He was the principal singer at Napoleon’s court from 1801 to 1814. From 1819 to 1826 he taught at the École Royale de Chant et de Déclamation. He publ. Lays, artiste du théâtre des arts, à ses concitoyens (Paris, 1793).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire