Gayarre, Julián (real name, Gayarre Sebástian)
Gayarre, Julián (real name, Gayarre Sebástian)
Gayarre, Julián (real name, Gayarre Sebástian), famous Spanish tenor; b. Valle de Roncal, Jan. 9, 1844; d. Madrid, Jan. 2, 1890. He received his training in Madrid and from Lamperti in Milan. In 1867 he made his operatic debut in Varese as Nemorino. After appearances in St. Petersburg (1873–75), he created the role of Enzo in La Gioconda at Milan’s La Scala on April 8, 1876. Gayarre created a sensation at his debut at London’s Covent Garden as Fernando in La Favorite on April 7, 1877, and was engaged to sing there until 1880, and again in 1886–87. On March 22, 1882, he created the title role in II Duca d’Alba in Rome. In 1885 he appeared at the Théâtre-Italien in Paris, returning there in 1886 to sing at the Opéra. During a performance of Les Pécheurs de perles in Madrid on Dec. 8, 1889, he suffered a vocal breakdown which compelled him to abandon his career. Gayarre was one of the foremost lyrico-dramatic tenors of his time. His roles in Italian and French operas were outstanding.
Bibliography
F. Hernandel Girbal, J. G.: El tenor de la voz de ángel (Madrid, 1955).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire