First edition, 1981. Accounts of some 1,100 female singers who performed for
the company from 1671 to 1987, listed in chronological order by date of first
appearance. Biographical data, roles; information varies according to avail-
ability (none at all in some cases). Name index.- Gourret, Jean. Dictionnaire des chanteurs de l’Opéra de Paris. Paris: Albatros,
- 331p. plus 32 plates. No ISBN. ML1717.8 .P2 G7.
A chronological list (by date of debut) of entries for about 1,600 male singers
who have performed for the Opéra, 1671–1980. For many persons there is
biographical information and comments on the voice, as well as identification
of principal roles. Name index.
The Opéra has had 13 homes. Its longest occupancies were in the Palais Royal (1673–
1763), Salle Le Peletier (1821–1873), and the Palais Garnier (1875–1990). All the
houses except the new Bastille Opéra are described in:
- Gourret, Jean. Histoire des salles de l’Opéra de Paris.Paris: Tredaniel, 1985.
255p. ISBN 2-857-07180-9. ML1727.8 .P2 G66.
Includes numerous plans and drawings of facades, with illuminating commen-
tary. Footnotes, bibliography (primary and secondary sources), index of names. - Durey de Noinville, Jacques-Bernard, and Louis-Antoine Travenol. Histoire
du Théâtre de l’Académie Royale de Musique en France, depuis son etabliss-
ment jusqu’à présent. 2nd ed. Paris: Duchesne, 1757. 384p. Reprint, Geneva:
Minkoff, 1972. ISBN 2-8266-0327-2. ML1727.8 .A2.
First edition, 1753. Covers 1645–1747, with a supplement of performances
“par les musiciens italiens,” 1752–1754. In addition to texts and documents,
gives biographies and both alphabetical and chronological lists of operas
staged, with casts for many. - Blaze, François-Henri Joseph Castil. L’Académie Imperiale de Musique: His-
toire littéraire, musicale, choréographique, pittoresque, morale, critique,
facétieuse, politique, galante de ce théâtre de 1645 à 1855. Paris: Castil-Blaze, - 2v. ML1727.8 .P2 B61.
A narrative history, with little documentation but with useful features. Staff
lists include directors and administrators as well as singers and dancers. List of
647 performances in date order. Volume 2, p.416, offers a valuable table of
dimensions for the 25 largest theaters in Europe (the largest were La Scala in
Milan, San Carlo in Naples, and Carlo Felice in Genoa, with the Paris hall—Le
Peletier—fourth). Blaze gives some interesting comments on the history by
Durey de Noinville (#2287). No index. - Prod’homme, Jacques-Gabriel. L’Opéra (1669–1925). Paris: Delagrave, 1925.
188p. Reprint, Geneva: Minkoff, 1972. ISBN 2-8266-0411-2. ML1727.8 .P2
P8.
A general history, enhanced by useful lists: houses occupied, directors, per-
formers, performances (chronological, 1671–1925), and dancers. Palais Gar-
nier is described in great detail. Bibliography of about 400 items, no index.
428 Opera