A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gras, Julie

by Julian Marshall

GRAS, Madame Julie Aimee Dorus, whose family name was Steenkiste, was born at Valenciennes in 1807 [App. p.654 "Sept. 7, 1804"]. Dorus was the name of her mother. She was the daughter of the leader of the band, and educated by her father. At the age of 14 she made a début in a concert with such success as to obtain a subsidy from the authorities to enable her to study at the Conservatoire of Paris. There she was admitted Dec. 21, 1821; and received instruction from Henri and Blangini. With a good voice and much facility of execution, she obtained the first prize in 1822. Paër and Bordogni then helped to finish her education. To the former she owed her appointment as chamber-singer to the king. In 1825 she began her travels, going to Brussels first, where she sang with such success as to receive proposals for the opera. She now gave six months to study for the stage, and made a brilliant début. After the revolution of 1830 she went to the opera at Paris, and made her first appearance in the 'Comte Ory' with great applause. On the retirement [App. p.654 "from the Grand Opera"] of Mme. Damoreau-Cinti (1835) Mlle. Dorus succeeded to the principal parts in 'La Muette,' 'Guillaume Tell,' 'Fernand Cortez,' etc. She had already created the rôles of Thérésina in 'Le Philtre,' of Alice in 'Robert le Diable,' and the page in 'Gustave'. In 1839 she visited London, where she had a very warm reception. Having married M. Gras, one of the principal violins at the Opéra, April 9, 1833, Mlle. Dorus for some years kept her maiden-name on the stage. The management of the theatre having passed into the hands of M. Stolz, she had the mortification to see her chief parts given to Mme. Stolz, and consequently retired in 1845. She continued however, to sing occasionally in Paris and in the provinces. In 1847 she reappeared in London, and renewed her former triumphs; as she did again in 1848 and 9, singing in the latter year Auber's Italianised 'Masaniello.' In 1850–1 Mme. Dorus-Gras remained in Paris, singing in a few concerts; but since then her artistic career has ended.

[ J. M. ]