Rothier, Léon

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Rothier, Léon

Rothier, Léon , French bass and teacher; b. Rheims, Dec. 26, 1874; d. N.Y., Dec. 6, 1951. He studied at the Paris Cons. with Crosti (singing), Lherie (opéra comique), and Melchissedec (opera), winning 1st prizes in all 3 classes upon graduation. He made his operatic debut as Jupiter in Gounod’s Philemon et Baucis at the Opéra-Comique in Paris in 1899, remaining there until 1903; then was active in Marseilles (1903–07), Nice (1907–09), and Lyons (1909–10). On Dec. 10, 1910, he made his American debut at the Metropolitan Opera in N.Y. as Méphistophélès; remained on its roster until 1939 and then devoted himself to recitals. He taught at the Volpe Inst. in N.Y. (from 1916); also privately after his retirement from the stage.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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