Yvette Guilber Famous French cabaret singer and actress of the Belle Epoque, model. Date of Birth: 20.01.1865 Country: France

1. Early Life and Career
2. Café-Concert and Muses
3. Moulin Rouge and International Success
4. Later Career and Legacy

Early Life and Career

Yvette Guilbert, the celebrated French cabaret singer, actress, and model, was born to humble beginnings as the daughter of a ragman and a hatmaker. At 16, she left her sewing job to become a salesgirl at the Printemps department store on Boulevard Haussmann. Guilbert pursued her passion for the stage by enrolling in drama courses in 1885. After making her debut at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, she performed at various theaters, including the Théâtre de Cluny, Théâtre des Nouveautés, and Théâtre des Variétés.

Café-Concert and Muses

Dissatisfied with her minor roles, Guilbert shifted her focus to singing in cafés-chantants and music halls. Her repertoire included songs by renowned poets such as Paul de Kock, Jean Lorrain, and Jean Richepin. In 1885, she met Sigmund Freud at the Eldorado music hall, and their acquaintance sparked a lively correspondence. Freud displayed her photograph in his office alongside that of Lou Andreas-Salomé.

Moulin Rouge and International Success

Supported by Charles Zidler, whom she met in 1885, Guilbert secured an engagement at the Moulin Rouge in 1891. Her debut garnered attention from renowned literary figures, including Marcel Proust, who dedicated the first issue of his monthly chronicle in the magazine "Mensuel" to her performance. The artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec famously depicted her in his iconic posters. Guilbert's fame extended internationally, with appearances at Carnegie Hall in 1906 and Nice Casino in 1913. She performed in Germany and the United Kingdom, incorporating medieval songs into her repertoire.

Later Career and Legacy

In her later years, Guilbert became a theatrical impresario, wrote for newspapers and magazines, and taught and directed. She also authored several books and appeared in films by notable directors such as F.W. Murnau, Jean de L'Herbier, Maurice Tourneur, and Sacha Guitry. Guilbert's extensive recordings, spanning nearly four decades, showcase her exceptional vocal abilities. She was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Guilbert's enduring fame as Toulouse-Lautrec's muse is complemented by her influence on other artists and her multifaceted career. She remains an inspiration for performers and cultural enthusiasts worldwide.