Gabriel Bacquier sings Gluck, Berlioz, Thomas, and Ravel

Between 1963 and 1971, the television program Prestige de la musique took classical music from the stage and dropped it right in the middle of French homes, showcasing the greatest performers on the stage of the Salle Pleyel alongside the ORTF Orchestra (today known as the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France). This 1966 archive film tips its hat to one of the defining figures of 20th-century French opera: the illustrious baritone Gabriel Bacquier.

Bacquier’s name still resonates across the world, thanks to an incredible career that started in France before taking off the world over. Enrolled in a choir at a young age, he began his vocal training in his hometown of Béziers before continuing at the prestigious Paris Conservatory. Considering his early successes in Belgium and France, it comes as no surprise that international acclaim swiftly followed suit. A decisive moment came in 1966 when his portrayal of Don Giovanni at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence — broadcast throughout Europe — catapulted him to stardom. Renowned for his versatility, Bacquier excelled in both French and Italian opera, as well as in operetta, a genre particularly dear to him. His magnetic stage presence and expressive artistry made him one of the most sought-after singers of his generation. In this recital, Bacquier pays homage to Gluck with the famous “J’ai perdu mon Eurydice” from Orphée et Eurydice, and celebrates the brilliance of the French repertoire with excerpts from operas by Berlioz and Thomas. The program concludes with Ravel’s enchanting triptych Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, the composer’s final work — a fitting showcase of Bacquier’s warmth, nuance, and timeless artistry.