Marcelle Demougeot (Soprano) (Dijon 1876 - Paris 1931)

Her real name was Jeanne Marguerite Marcelle Decorne. She studied singing under Charles Laurent at Dijon and at the Conservatoire of Paris by Hettich. In Paris she was also a student of Mangin, and Warot Giraudet. She made her debut in 1902 at the Paris Grand Opera as Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni”. In 1904 she sang here in the premiere of “Le fils de l’étoile” by Camille Erlanger, two years later in Massenet’s “Ariane”, 1911, in Monte Carlo, the title role in the world premiere of the opera “Déjanire” by Saint-Saens. In 1909 she appeared at the Grand Opera in the premiere of Wagner’s “Rheingold” in the role of Fricka. In 1914 she performed at the same opera house in the premiere of “Parsifal” as Kundry. She performed in the 1907-09 seasons at the provincial theaters and later at Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon and Vichy. In 1921 she sang at the Grand Opera with great successful in ”Die Walkure’’. In 1930 she sang in Strasbourg the role of Brünnhilde in the Ring cycle. She was considered the most important French Wagnerian soprano of her generation, and outside of the Wagner repertoire, she sang roles such as Aida, the Valentine in “Les Huguenots” by Meyerbeer, the Mathilde in Rossini’s “William Tell”, the Cyria in “Angela” by Massenet and Marguerite in “La Damnation de Faust” by Berlioz.

Chronology of some appearances

1902 Paris Grand Opera Don Giovanni (Donna Elvira)

1904 Paris Grand Opera Le fils de l’étoile (-)

1906 Paris Grand Opera Arian (-)

1909 Paris Grand Opera Rheingold (Fricka)

1911 Monte Carlo Opera House Déjanire (-)

1914 Paris Grand Opera Parsifal (Kundry)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

G&T, Paris 1904
Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Tu l'as dit with Affre 34036 3161-F

Favorite, Paris 1905-07

Ave Maria (Gounod) 1-6003 1410-f

Guillaume Tell (Rossini): Sombre forêt 1-6029 1412-f

G&T, Paris 1906-07

Favorite (Donizetti): Ah, va dans une autre patrie with Muratore 34161 5835o

Zonophone, Paris 1906

Robert le diable (Meyerbeer): Robert, toi que j'aime X-83127

Favorite (Donizetti): O mon Fernand X-83126

Hérodiade (Massenet): Air de Salomé X-83142

Cid (Massenet): Pleurez mes yeux X-83148
Ave Maria (Gounod) X-83149
Sérénade (Braga) X-83150

Beka, Paris 1907?

Ariana (Massenet): Arie der Ariana 8431

Ave Maria (Gounod) 8434

Odeon, Paris 1908

Faust (Gounod): Anges purs with Affre and Nivette 60895 XP4267

Odeon, Paris
O salutaris (Thomas) with Nivette 97065 XP4366