Pierre Gailhard (Bass) (Toulouse 1848 – Paris 1918)

He began his education in Toulouse then tudied at the Paris Conservatoryunder Revial, Couderc and Duvernoy. He made his debut in 1867 at the Paris Opéra-Comique as a Falstaff in ‘’Le Songe d'une nuit d'été’’ of A. Thomas. In 1872 he came to the Grand Opéra in Paris (beginning role: Mephisto in ‘’Faust’’ of  Gounod); here his career reached the climax. Here he appeared in 17 opera premieres (among other things in 1882 at the Grand Opéra in ‘’Francoise de Rimini’’ of A. Thomas, in 1876 in ‘’Jeanne d'Arc’’ of A. Mermet, in 1878 in ‘’La pure Berthe’’ of V. Joncières). He was very successful in parts like the Leporello in ‘’Don Giovanni’’, Kaspar in ‘’Freischütz’’, Hamlet in the opera of the same name of A.Thomas, Pythéas in ‘’Sapho’’ of Gounod, Saint-Bris in ‘’Huguenots’’of Meyerbeer, Mephisto in ‘’Faust’’ of Gounod. He guested in Russia and from 1879-83 sang also at the Italian opera house in London, here among other things as Mephisto in ‘’Faust’’ of Gounod. In 1884 he was appointed manager of the Opera, a position he held jointly with Jean Eugene Ritt (1884–91) and then with Eug¨ne Bertrand (1893–9); on Bertrand's death in 1899 he became sole manager (until 1906). His regime was perhaps most distinguished for its excellent Wagner productions. He made only four recordings for Fonotipia. All are very rare.

Chronology of some appearances

1867 Paris Opéra-Comique
1872 Paris Grand Opéra

RECORDING FOR SALE

Fonotipia, Paris 1904

La Paloma (Yradier) 39092 XPh516
Africaine (Meyerbeer): Holа!, matelots 39093 XPh517

Fonotipia, Paris 1905
Faust (Gounod): Vous qui faites l'endormie 39229 XPh602