Raoul Samuel Gunsbourg (January 6, 1860, in Bucharest – May 31, 1955, in Monte Carlo) was a Jewish-Romania-born[1]opera director, impresario, composer and writer. Gunsbourg is best known for being the longest-serving director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, where his career spanned almost six decades.
Raoul Samuel GunsbourgCostume design for "Ivan le Terrible" by Léon Bakst (1911)
Raoul Gunsbourg acquired his musical education and its comprehensive knowledge in language and literature as a self-taught person. He attended Medical School in Bucharest which he finished in 1875. In 1877-78 he served as a medic in the Russian army during the Russian-Turkish war. In 1881-83 he created and managed the Gunsbourg's French Opera Stage in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In Moscow Gunsbourg met German composer Richard Wagner. After returning to France, Gunsbourg directed the Grand Théâtre de Lille during the 1888/89 season and the Opéra de Nice in 1889-91.
In 1892, on recommendation by TsarAlexander III of Russia, Gunsbourg was invited by Princess Alice, an American wife of Albert I, Prince of Monaco, to serve as the director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo. Empowered by Princess Alice's encouragement and support, Gunsbourg transformed the Opéra de Monte-Carlo into a world-class cultural venue. He was the first opera director to stage Berlioz's La damnation de Faust, which was considered at that time more as an oratorio than an opera, in his theatre on February 18, 1893.
Gunsbourg's work in Monte Carlo was briefly interrupted during World War II. Assisted by members of the French Resistance, Gunsbourg fled to nearby Switzerland, escaping arrest and possible execution by the Nazis who occupied Monaco in 1943 and began the deportation of the Jewish population. After the war was over, Gunsbourg returned to Monaco where he continued directing the Opéra de Monte-Carlo until 1951.
Stage works (operas)edit
Le Vieil Aigle (The Old Eagle), 1 act (premiered February 13, 1909, in Monte Carlo)
^Born in Bucharest, Gunsbourg is a son of a French father and Romanian mother. His grandfather was a rabbi.
March 16, 2024
raoul, gunsbourg, raoul, samuel, gunsbourg, january, 1860, bucharest, 1955, monte, carlo, jewish, romania, born, opera, director, impresario, composer, writer, gunsbourg, best, known, being, longest, serving, director, opéra, monte, carlo, where, career, spann. Raoul Samuel Gunsbourg January 6 1860 in Bucharest May 31 1955 in Monte Carlo was a Jewish Romania born 1 opera director impresario composer and writer Gunsbourg is best known for being the longest serving director of the Opera de Monte Carlo where his career spanned almost six decades Raoul Samuel GunsbourgCostume design for Ivan le Terrible by Leon Bakst 1911 Raoul Gunsbourg acquired his musical education and its comprehensive knowledge in language and literature as a self taught person He attended Medical School in Bucharest which he finished in 1875 In 1877 78 he served as a medic in the Russian army during the Russian Turkish war In 1881 83 he created and managed the Gunsbourg s French Opera Stage in Moscow and St Petersburg In Moscow Gunsbourg met German composer Richard Wagner After returning to France Gunsbourg directed the Grand Theatre de Lille during the 1888 89 season and the Opera de Nice in 1889 91 In 1892 on recommendation by Tsar Alexander III of Russia Gunsbourg was invited by Princess Alice an American wife of Albert I Prince of Monaco to serve as the director of the Opera de Monte Carlo Empowered by Princess Alice s encouragement and support Gunsbourg transformed the Opera de Monte Carlo into a world class cultural venue He was the first opera director to stage Berlioz s La damnation de Faust which was considered at that time more as an oratorio than an opera in his theatre on February 18 1893 Gunsbourg s work in Monte Carlo was briefly interrupted during World War II Assisted by members of the French Resistance Gunsbourg fled to nearby Switzerland escaping arrest and possible execution by the Nazis who occupied Monaco in 1943 and began the deportation of the Jewish population After the war was over Gunsbourg returned to Monaco where he continued directing the Opera de Monte Carlo until 1951 Stage works operas editLe Vieil Aigle The Old Eagle 1 act premiered February 13 1909 in Monte Carlo Ivan le Terrible 3 acts October 20 1910 in Brussels Theatre de la Monnaie Venise 3 acts March 8 1913 in Monte Carlo Maitre Manole 3 acts March 17 1918 in Monte Carlo Satan 9 tableaux March 20 1920 in Monte Carlo Lysistrata 3 acts February 20 1923 in Monte Carlo Les Dames galantes de Brantome 5 scenes together with M Thiriet and H Tomasi February 12 1946 in Monte Carlo See also editGonsbourg Raoul 1860 1955 Raoul Gonsbourg Kobbe s Complete Opera Book on Gunsbourg Zwischen Petersburg und Monte Carlo by Raoul Gunsbourg Free scores by Raoul Gunsbourg at the International Music Score Library Project IMSLP References edit Born in Bucharest Gunsbourg is a son of a French father and Romanian mother His grandfather was a rabbi Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Raoul Gunsbourg amp oldid 1207146829, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
