Nicolas-Prosper Derivis French opera singer, bass. Date of Birth: 28.10.1808 Country: France

1. Biography of Nicolas-Prosper Derivis
2. Early Life and Education
3. Paris Opera Career
4. Later Career and Legacy

Biography of Nicolas-Prosper Derivis

Nicolas-Prosper Derivis was a French operatic bass renowned for his incredibly powerful and rich voice. He excelled in both heavy dramatic roles and complex coloratura transitions. Alongside Nicolas Levasseur, he is considered one of the greatest French basses of his time.

Early Life and Education

Nicolas-Prosper was born in Paris, France, into a musical family. His father, Henri-Étienne Derivis, was an opera bass. Derivis studied singing at the Conservatoire de Paris and made his debut in 1831 at the Paris Opera, portraying the role of the pharaoh in Gioachino Rossini's "Moïse et Pharaon."

Paris Opera Career

Derivis spent ten years at the Paris Opera, during which he participated in several premieres, including Jacques-François-Fromental-Élie Halévy's "La tentation," Daniel Auber's "La serment," and Luigi Cherubini's "Ali-Baba ou Les quarante voleurs." He also performed outside of Paris, including at La Scala in Milan, where he took part in two premieres of Giuseppe Verdi's works, "Nabucco" and "I Lombardi alla prima crociata."

Later Career and Legacy

In 1842, Derivis performed in the premiere of Gaetano Donizetti's "Linda di Chamounix" at the Theater am Kärntnertor in Vienna. He later worked at the Théâtre-Italien in Paris from 1845 to 1848 and briefly relocated to the Teatro Regio in Turin in 1846. In 1847, he returned to La Scala and then performed at various other theaters before returning to the Paris Opera in 1856.

After 1857, Derivis appeared less frequently on stage, and his career eventually came to an end over ten years later in 1870. Following his retirement from performing, Derivis taught at the Conservatoire de Paris. He passed away on February 11, 1880, at the age of 71.