Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff

Pierre-Alfred Ravel (Actor)

Also known as: Pierre-Alfred Ravel (Actor), Pierre-Alfred Ravel, Pierre Alfred Ravel, Ravel

People · Artists
Show in diary 13 mentions

Biography

Pierre-Alfred Ravel (January 6, 1811 – April 26, 1881) was a celebrated French actor of the 19th century, best known for his appearances in comedies. He was born in Bordeaux, the son of a horse dealer.

Career

Ravel was a leading player at two of Paris's most prestigious comedy theaters:

  • Théâtre du Palais-Royal
  • Théâtre du Gymnase Dramatique

His most celebrated role was Fadinard in Eugène Labiche's Un chapeau de paille d'Italie (The Italian Straw Hat), which premiered in 1851. This role became synonymous with Ravel's name and was one of the defining performances of French comic theater in the 19th century.

Performance in Nice (1873)

In January 1873, Ravel performed in Nice at the French Theater of Nice. Marie Bashkirtseff attended his performance on January 12, 1873, where he appeared in a double bill featuring:

During the winter season, prominent actors from Parisian theaters would tour to Nice and other fashionable Riviera resorts to perform for the wealthy international visitors.

Significance

Ravel was one of the most respected comic actors of his generation. His appearance in Nice during the 1873 winter season would have been a major cultural event, attracting the attention of the sophisticated theater-going public, including young Marie and her family.

Note

Later mentions (Nice, 1874-75)

Marie sees him again at the Théâtre-Français of Nice: «Le Réveillon» «par Ravel» (015.0224, 17 January 1874); his benefit night, «Ravel est charmant comme toujours» (016.0050, 016.0052, 31 January 1874); «vendredi commencent les représentations de Ravel» and «La Boule … Ravel joue» (032.0418, 032.0467, May 1875); the May 1875 season (033, where the Mon Journal t.5 index names his wife, «Deschamps (Elisa) actrice (femme de Ravel)»); and a couplet «comme chante Ravel» (034.0428, June 1875).

Not to be confused with the «Ravel qu'on raccommode» of 7 March 1874 (017.0196), apparently Marie's alarm clock (réveil); the retired entry Ravel (people/mentioned/RAVEL) explains it.

Sources

Research conducted using web sources: Pierre-Alfred Ravel - Wikipedia

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