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André Messager

André Charles Prosper Messager (French: [mɛsaʒe]; 30 December 1853 – 24 February 1929) was a French composer, organist, pianist and conductor. His compositions include eight ballets and thirty opéras comiques, opérettes and other stage works, among which his ballet Les Deux Pigeons (1886) and opéra comique Véronique (1898) have had lasting success; Les P'tites Michu (1897) and Monsieur Beaucaire (1919) were also popular internationally.

Messager took up the piano as a small child and later studied composition with, among others, Camille Saint-Saëns and Gabriel Fauré. He became a major figure in the musical life of Paris and later London, both as a conductor and a composer. Many of his Parisian works were also produced in the West End and some on Broadway; the most successful had long runs and numerous international revivals. He wrote two operatic works in English, and his later output included musical comedies for Sacha Guitry and Yvonne Printemps.

As a conductor, Messager held prominent positions in Paris and London, at the head of the Opéra-Comique, the Paris Opéra, the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Although as a composer he is known chiefly for his light works, as a conductor he presented a wide range of operas, from Mozart to Richard Strauss, and he acquired a reputation as a conductor of Wagner. In Paris he conducted the world premieres of Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande, Massenet's Grisélidis and Charpentier's Louise. At Covent Garden, he gave the British premieres of operas by Saint-Saëns and Massenet.

Messager's music became known for its melodic and orchestral invention, musical craftsmanship, and characteristically French elegance and grace. Although most of his works have been infrequently revived, historians of music consider him the last major figure in French opéra comique and opérette.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 30, 1833 (Montluçon), Died February 24, 1929 (Paris)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1902 - 1938

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, director, conductor

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor C-2939 12-in. 12/11/1905 The letter song Alan Turner Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor C-3256 12-in. 4/6/1906 The swing song Harry Macdonough ; Corinne Morgan Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-9798 10-in. 1/13/1911 Long ago in Alcalá Henry Allan Price Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Victor B-10485 10-in. 6/2/1911 Swing song Lucy Isabelle Marsh ; Reinald Werrenrath Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Victor C-11309 12-in. 11/27/1911 The swing song Emma Eames ; Emilio de Gogorza Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with orchestra composer  
Victor C-11311 12-in. 11/27/1911 Trot here and there Emma Eames ; Emilio de Gogorza Vocal duet (soprano and baritone), with piano composer  
Victor C-15117 12-in. 8/4/1914 Les deux pigeons : Scene et danse, part 2 Conway's Band Band composer  
Victor B-17699 10-in. 5/17/1916 Long ago in Alcalá John Barnes Wells Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor C-19118 12-in. 1/23/1917 Aux morts pour la patrie Marcel Journet Bass vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor C-22460 12-in. 12/11/1918 Barcarolle Fernand Pollain Cello solo, with piano composer  
Victor B-23756 10-in. 3/4/1920 Honour and love John McCormack Tenor vocal solo, with violin, celeste, and orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-56190 10-in. 10/16/1929 The grey house John McCormack Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor [Trial 1918-11-26-02] Not documented 11/26/1918 Barcarole Fernand Pollain Cello solo, with piano composer  
Columbia 49527 12-in. 10/17/1918 L'Arlesienne André Messager ; Paris Conservatory Symphony Orchestra Orchestra conductor  
Columbia 49528 12-in. 10/17/1918 Marche bohemienne André Messager ; Paris Conservatory Symphony Orchestra Orchestra conductor, composer  
Columbia 49529 12-in. 10/18/1918 Impressions of Italy : Serenade André Messager ; Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire Orchestra director  
Columbia 49530 12-in. 10/18/1918 Le rouet d'Omphale André Messager ; Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire Orchestra director  
Columbia 49532 12-in. 10/19/1918 Capriccio espagnol André Messager ; Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire Orchestra director  
Columbia 49533 12-in. 10/19/1918 Adagietto Paris Conservatory Symphony Orchestra Orchestra conductor  
Columbia 49534 12-in. 10/21/1918 The deluge : Prelude André Messager ; Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire Orchestra, with violin solo director  
Columbia 49535 12-in. 10/21/1918 Gypsy dance Paris Conservatory Symphony Orchestra Orchestra conductor, composer  
Columbia 49536 12-in. 10/23/1918 Cortege de Bacchus French Symphony Orchestra ; André Messager ; Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire Orchestra director  
Columbia 49537 12-in. 10/22/1918 Danse bacchanale French Symphony Orchestra ; André Messager ; Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire Orchestra director  
Columbia 49538 12-in. 10/22/1918 Carillon André Messager ; Paris Conservatory Symphony Orchestra Orchestra conductor  
Columbia 49539 12-in. 10/24/1918 Valse André Messager ; Paris Conservatory Symphony Orchestra Orchestra conductor  
Columbia 49540 12-in. 10/23/1918 Impressions of Italy : A mules André Messager ; Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire Orchestra director  
Columbia 49541 12-in. 10/24/1918 Les chasseresses French Symphony Orchestra ; André Messager ; Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire Orchestra director  
Columbia 50603 10-in. between 1903 and 1906 Duo de l'ane Mary Boyer ; Albert Piccaluga Vocal duet (mezzo-soprano and baritone) composer  
Columbia 59632 12-in. approximately September 1920 Duo de l'escarpolette Louis Chartier ; Blanche Gonthier Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 73248 10-in. approximately 1923 Trot here and there Dora Labbette ; Evan Williams Female-male vocal duet, with piano composer  
Columbia 75314 12-in. approximately 1916 Scene and pas des deux Garde Républicaine Band Band composer  
Columbia 75315 12-in. approximately 1916 Theme and variations Garde Républicaine Band Band composer  
Columbia 75316 12-in. approximately 1916 Divertissement Garde Républicaine Band Band composer  
Columbia 75318 12-in. approximately 1916 Finale Garde Républicaine Band Band composer  
Columbia 76435 12-in. approximately 1919 Monsieur Beaucaire, selection, part 1 Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76436 12-in. approximately May 1919 Honour and love John Clarke ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76437 12-in. approximately 1919 Waltz Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76438 12-in. approximately 1919 Monsieur Beaucaire : Waltz London Dance Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76439 12-in. approximately 1919 Monsieur Beaucaire, selection, part 2 Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76440 12-in. approximately May 1919 I love you a little John Clarke ; Alice Moffat ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76441 12-in. approximately May 1919 We are not speaking now John Clarke ; Alice Moffat ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76454 12-in. approximately May 1919 English maids Marion Green ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Male vocal solo, with orchestra chorus composer  
Columbia 76455 12-in. approximately May 1919 Gold and blue and white Marion Green ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76456 12-in. approximately May 1919 Red rose Marion Green ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76457 12-in. approximately May 1919 Under the moon Marion Green ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Male vocal solo, with orchestra and chorus composer  
Columbia 76460 12-in. approximately 1919 The rose minuet Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Orchestra composer  
Columbia 76461 12-in. approximately May 1919 Philomel Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell ; Maggie Teyte Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76462 12-in. approximately May 1919 I do not know Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell ; Maggie Teyte Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76463 12-in. approximately May 1919 Lightly, lightly Marion Green ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell ; Maggie Teyte Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76464 12-in. approximately May 1919 Say no more Marion Green ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell ; Maggie Teyte Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76465 12-in. approximately May 1919 Going to the ball John Clarke ; Marion Green ; Robert Parker ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell Vocal trio, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76473 12-in. approximately May 1919 Finale, act 1 Marion Green ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell ; Maggie Teyte Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76474 12-in. approximately May 1919 What are names? Marion Green ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell ; Maggie Teyte Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76475 12-in. approximately May 1919 Finale, act 2 Marion Green ; Robert Parker ; Prince's Theatre Orchestra ; Kennedy Russell ; Maggie Teyte Vocal trio, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 86582 10-in. approximately September 1920 Véronique : De ci, de là Madeleine Cardinal ; Louis Chartier Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Brunswick 15121-15122 10-in. 3/11/1925 La maison grise Giuseppe Danise Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Brunswick E20634-E20635 10-in. 11/4/1926 Duetto de l’âne Blanche Archambault ; Louis Chartier Vocal duet (soprano and baritone) composer  
Brunswick E23054-E23055 10-in. 5/9/1927 La maison grise Giuseppe Danise Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Brunswick 57bv 10-in. 1929 Veronique : Fantasia, pt. 1 Symphony Orchestra [Brunswick Records (U.K.)] Orchestra composer  
Brunswick 58bv 10-in. 1929 Veronique : Fantasia, pt. 2 Symphony Orchestra [Brunswick Records (U.K.)] Orchestra composer  
Edison 520 Not documented approximately Jan. 1911 Valse des cigales Aino Ackté Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 548 Not documented approximately Jan. 1911 Si j'avais vos ailes Aino Ackté Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 7098 10-in. 1/8/1920 Red rose Arthur Middleton Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 9028 10-in. 6/13/1923 Long ago in Alcalá Charles Albert Baker ; Arthur Middleton Male vocal solo, with piano composer  
Gramophone 344y 10-in. 2/6/1909 Ysoline (Bailete mazurka) Banda del Real Cuerpo de Guardias Alabarderos de Madrid Band composer  
Gramophone 1293F[o] 10-in. Dec. 1902 Conte bleu Jean-François Delmas Bass vocal solo, with piano composer  
Gramophone 1303F[o] 10-in. December 1902 Hélas! je ne dois plus entendre Albert Piccaluga Baritone vocal solo composer  
Gramophone 1772F[o] 10-in. 1903 Fantaisie Garde Républicaine Band Band composer  
Gramophone Bb11341 10-in. 9/2/1927 La maison grise John McCormack ; Edwin Schneider Tenor vocal solo, with piano composer  
Gramophone 15880u 10-in. 6/23/1910 Isoline ballet Orchestre symphonique du Gramophone Orchestra composer  
Gramophone Bb17183 10-in. 7/12/1929 J'ai deux amants Yvonne Printemps Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Gramophone Bb17184 10-in. 7/12/1929 Duo du 2ème acte Sacha Guitry ; Yvonne Printemps Female vocal, with spoken dialog and orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX207 12-in. 2/17/1928 Duo de Marie et Colette Jules Clémandh ; Louise Dhamarys ; Georgette Simon Vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX225 12-in. 2/22/1928 Theme & variation Pierre Dupont ; Musique de la Garde Republicaine Band composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX226 12-in. 2/22/1928 Scene et pas des deux pigeons Pierre Dupont ; Musique de la Garde Republicaine Band composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX227 12-in. 2/22/1928 Entrée des tziganes Pierre Dupont ; Musique de la Garde Republicaine Band composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX228 12-in. 2/22/1928 Danse hongroise Pierre Dupont ; Musique de la Garde Republicaine Band composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL481 10-in. 6/14/1927 Couplet d'entrée Louise Dhamarys ; Fernand Heurteur Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL915 10-in. 2/17/1928 Air de Marie, acte 2 Jules Clémandh ; Georgette Simon Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL916 10-in. 2/17/1928 Romance de Marie, acte 3 Jules Clémandh ; Georgette Simon Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL917 10-in. 2/17/1928 Fabliau Jules Clémandh ; Louise Dhamarys Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1022 10-in. 4/14/1928 Elle m'aime! Élie Cohen ; Lucien Fugère Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1023 10-in. 4/14/1928 Trop lourd est le poids... Élie Cohen ; Lucien Fugère Baritone vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1079 10-in. 5/13/1928 J'aimais la vieille maison grise Marcelle Denya ; Georges Truc Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1080 10-in. 5/13/1928 Si vous croyez que je vais dire... Marcelle Denya ; Georges Truc Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1297 10-in. 11/13/1928 Quand on n'a pas le pied marin Pierre Chagnon ; Gustave Nelson Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1298 10-in. 11/13/1928 Les hommes sont bien tous les mêmes Pierre Chagnon ; Marcelle Denya Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1299 10-in. 11/13/1928 Duo du coup de roulis Pierre Chagnon ; Marcelle Denya ; Gustave Nelson Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1300 10-in. 11/13/1928 Tous les deux me plaisent Pierre Chagnon ; Marcelle Denya Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WLX1495 12-in. 2/11/1931 Le jour sous le soleil béni Yoshiko Miyagawa Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1581 10-in. approximately April 9, 1929 Duetto de l'âne Louise Dhamarys ; Ernest Géoris ; Georges Villier Vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL1592 10-in. 4/11/1929 L'escarpolette Louise Dhamarys ; Ernest Géoris ; Georges Villier Vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL3388 10-in. 12/1/1931 La maison grise Pierre Chagnon ; Robert Krabansky ; Georges Thill Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra and cello composer  
Columbia (U.K.) WL3863 10-in. 7/13/1932 Je ne suis pas très exigeante Germaine Féraldy ; Jean Jacquin Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia (U.K.) CL6825 10-in. 11/7/1938 Duo de l'escarpolette Charpini et Brancato ; Lao Silésu Vocal duet, with piano composer  
Columbia (U.K.) CL6826 10-in. 11/7/1938 Duo de l'escarpolette Charpini et Brancato ; Lao Silésu Vocal duet, with piano composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Messager, André," accessed May 13, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103767.

Messager, André. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 13, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103767.

"Messager, André." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103767

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