Léon Melchissédec by Nadar

Léon Melchissédec (1843-1925); French baritone. In 1866 he made his debut at the Opéra Comique where he remained until 1876. Here he created the role of Duke the Mailly in Auber’s “Le premier jour de bonheur” (1868); Spark in Offenbach’s “Fantasio” (1872) and Raymond in Paladilhe’s “L’amour Africain” (1875). In 1876 he was engaged by the Théâtre-Lyrique. Here he created the role of Monsieur de Sainte-Croix in Massé’s “Paul et Virginie” (1876),Dr. Spiridion in Saint-Saëns’ “Le timbre d’argent” (1877) and Le Baron de Sigognac in Pessard’s “Le Capitaine Fracasse” (1878). In 1879 he was engaged by the Paris Grand-Opéra where he remained until 1891 and again from 1905-1912. Here he created Hadjar in Gounod’s “Le tribut de Zamora” (1881), Le Roi in Massenet’s “Le Cid” (1885) and the title role in Pessard’s “Tabarin” (1885). At Monte Carlo he sang at the première of Isidore de Lara’s opera’s “Moïna” (1897) and “Messalina” (1899). Since 1894 he was a professor of déclamation lyrique at the Paris Conservatory.

On the photo he is seen in his creator role of Monsieur de Sainte-Croix in Massé "Paul et Virginie".