A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Levasseur, Nicholas

by Alexis Chitty

LEVASSEUR, Nicholas Prosper, was born March 9, 1791, at Bresles, Oise, the son of a labourer. He entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1807, and became a member of Garat's singing class Feb. 5, 1811. He made his débuts at the Académie as Osman Pacha (Grétry's 'Caravane') Oct. 5, 1813, and as Œdipus (Sacchini's 'Œdipe à Colonos') Oct. 15, and was engaged there. According to Fétis he was successful only as the Pacha; the repertory was either too high for his voice, or unfavourable to the Italian method which he had acquired. He made his début at the King's Theatre in Simon Mayer's 'Adelasia ed Alderano,' Jan. 10, 1815, and played there two seasons with success in 'La Clemenza di Tito,' in 'Gli Orazi,' as Pluto (Winter's 'Ratto di Proserpina') at Mme. Vestris's début July 20, 1815; in Paer's 'Griselda,' Farinelli's 'Rite d'Efeso,' Ferrari's 'Heroine di Raab,' and Portogallo's 'Regina di Lidia.' He reappeared there with some success in 1829, and again in French as Bertram on production of 'Robert,' June 11, 1832. He reappeared at the Académie about 1816, and remained there as an under-study, but obtained much reputation in concerts with his friend Ponchard. He made his de'but at the Italians as Figaro, Oct. 5, 1819, and remained there until about 1827, where he sang in new operas, Rossini's, Meyerbeer's 'Crociato,' and Vaccaj's 'Romeo.' He sang at Milan on the production of Meyerbeer's 'Margherita d'Anjou,' Nov. 14, 1820. He reappeared at the Académie as Moses on the production of Rossini's opera there, March 26, 1827, a part which he had previously played at the Italiens Oct. 20, 1822; returned there permanently the next year, and remained until his retirement Oct. 29, 1853. He created the part of Zacharie in the 'Prophète' at the request of Meyerbeer, who admired his talent as much as his noble character. He was appointed head of a lyric class at the Conservatoire June 1, 1841, and on his retirement in 1869 was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. He died at Paris Dec. 5, 1871, having become blind a short time before his death. 'It was in the production of "Robert" that Levasseur created a class of characters … in which he has had innumerable imitators, but not one single artist with his peculiar physiognomy, his exceptionally toned voice, his imposing presence and intellectual grasp. His Bertram was a veritable creation.… Next to Bertram must rank his delineation of Marcel and Zachariah.'^[1]

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1. Athenæum. Dec. 16. 1871.