Jean Elleviou (14 June 1769 in
Rennes – 5 May 1842 in Paris) was a French operatic
tenor, one of the most celebrated French singers of his time.
Born Pierre-Jean-Baptiste-François Elleviou, he made his debut at the
Comédie-Italienne in Paris in 1790, as a
baritone in the role of Alexis in
Monsigny's Le déserteur, and the following year as a tenor in
Dalayrac's Philippe et Georgette.
He sang extensively in Italy in 1795, and across France in 1795 to 1797, then returned to Paris, appearing at the newly renamed
Opéra-Comique. He retired in 1813, after
Napoléon I refused to increase his already huge salary.
According to contemporaries, his voice was very sweet and flexible, he was noted for his eloquent diction, and had a handsome and charming stage presence which made him a great favourite of Paris audiences.
Philippe et Georgette, music by
Nicolas Dalayrac, libretto by Jacques-Marie Boutet de Monvel (created salle Favart, 28 December
1791) : Philippe
Paul et Virginie, music by
Rodolphe Kreutzer, libretto by Edmond-Guillaume-François de Favières (reprise salle Favart, 15 January
1791) : Zabis
Camille ou le Souterrain, music by Dalayrac, libretto by Marsollier (created salle Favart, 19 March
1791) : Lorédan
Tout pour l'amour ou Roméo et Juliette, music by Dalayrac, libretto by Jacques-Marie Boutet de Monvel (created salle Favart, 7 July
1792) : Théobald
Cécile et Julien ou le Siège de Lille, music by
Trial fils, libretto by Joigny (created salle Favart, 21 November
1792) : an emigrant
Azémia ou le Nouveau Robinson, music by Dalayrac, libretto by Auguste-Etienne-Xavier Poisson de la Chabeaussière (reprise salle Favart) : Prosper
La Prise de Toulon par les Français, music by Auguste Lemière de Corvey, libretto by
Alexandre Duval (created salle Favart, le 21) : Armand
L'Oncle valet, music by Domenico Della Maria, libretto by Alexandre Duval (created salle Favart, 8 December
1798) : Florval
Adolphe et Clara ou les Deux Prisonniers, music by Nicolas Dalayrac, libretto by
Benoît-Joseph Marsollier (creation salle Favart, 10 February
1799) : Adolphe
Le Trente et quarante ou le Portrait, music by
Angelo Tarchi, libretto by Alexandre Duval (created salle Favart, 6 May
1799) : Valcour
Camille ou le Souterrain, music by Dalayrac, libretto by Marsollier (reprise salle Favart) : Alberti
Beniowski ou les Éxiles du Kamtschatka, music by Boieldieu, libretto by Alexandre Duval (created salle Favart, 8 June
1800) : Valcour
Le Calife de Bagdad, music by Boieldieu, libretto by Saint-Just (created salle Favart, 16 September
1800) : Isauun
Maison à vendre, music by Dalayrac, libretto by Alexandre Duval (created salle Favart, 23 October
1800) : Versac
L'Irato ou l'Emporté, music by
Étienne Nicolas Méhul, libretto by Marsollier (création salle Favart, 17 February
1801) : Lysandre
Raphaëlle Legrand,
Nicole Wild, Regards sur l'Opéra-Comique : Trois siècles de vie théâtrale, coll. « Sciences de la musique », CNRS éditions, Paris, 2002.
ISBN2-271-05885-6.
Nicole Wild, David Charlton, Théâtre de l'Opéra-Comique, Paris : Répertoire 1762-1972, coll. Musique/musicologie, Mardaga, Liège, 2005
ISBN2-87009-898-7.
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