ABSTRACT
French baritone, born in Marseilles. He studied at the Paris Conservatory and made his debut at the Paris Opéra in 1868; then sang throughout Europe and the U.S. From 1879 to 1894 he was a member of the Opéra, after which he sang at the Metropolitan Opera from 3 Dec 1894 (debut as Iago) to 1896. He was back in Paris until 1904, then transferred permanently to America in 1909. Maurel was most distinguished in Wagnerian and Verdian roles. He created Iago (5 Feb 1887) and Falstaff (9 Feb 1893). He died in New York. Maurel recorded for G & T in Paris in 1903, doing “Sogno di Iago” (#2-32814) and an air from Gluck. In 1904 and again in 1907 he was with Fonotipia in Milan, singing the “Serenata” of Don Giovanni (#39041), “Era la notte” from Otello, and “Quand’ero paggio” from Falstaff. His few recordings were reissued by various labels, including IRCC, Scala, Olympus, Belcantodisc, and Top Artists Platters. Marston’s complete recordings are available from Marston, along with Adelina Patti’s output, on a two-CD set.
