A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Soria, de, Jules

by George Grove

SORIA, DE, Jules Diaz, a remarkable baritone singer, was born of Jewish Portuguese parents at Bourdeaux, April 28, 1843. His musical ability showed itself early, and at 13 he already sang solos. Though a member, and a very active member, of a wine house in his native city, and therefore strictly an amateur, M. de Soria is as widely known as if he were a professional musician, which he might well have been had he chosen to forsake commerce for music. He has chosen to combine both. He has travelled over the greater part of Europe, and has produced the same remarkable effect everywhere from the singular beauty of his voice, and the exquisite taste and tact with which he manages it. In Rome, Venice, Vienna, Paris, St. Petersburg, and Athens (where he assisted in founding the Conservatoire), and in other cities of the Continent he is well known in the best and highest musical circles. The same in London, which he visited in 1867 and 1872, and where he made many and lasting friends. Gounod, Felicien David, Massenet, Lenepveu, Faure and others, have written pieces expressly for him, and his interpretations of the songs of Schubert and Schumann are worthy of all praise. He has appeared also on the boards both at Paris and Nice with success. His voice is a high baritone, and his management of it peculiarly good and effective.

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