Gabrielle Ritter-Ciampi (Soprano) (Paris, France November 2, 1886 – Paimpol, France July 18, 1974)

She came from an artistic French-Italian family, her father was the tenor Ezio Ciampi (1855-1927), her uncle, Théodor Ritter was a known pianist. Her mother Cécile Ritter-Ciampi (1859-1939) had a successful career as soprano at the Paris Opera. At first she wanted to become a pianist and already at the age of 16 she gave a piano concerts, then she studied singing at the Conservatoire of Paris and with her parents. She made her debut in 1917 at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris as Virginie in "Paul et Virginie" (a part which her mother had created forty years before) by Massé. In 1919 she was engaged by the Paris Opéra-Comique, after she had excited a sensation in Mozart’s "Schauspieldirektor" at the Théâtre Lyrique. Since 1921 she sang at the same time also at the Grand Opéra. In 1932 she sang at the Salzburg festival the part of Constance in Mozart’s "Entführung aus dem Serail". Reynaldo Hahn wrote the part of Dona Irène in "Le Oui des Jeunes Filles" for her, which she created on 21. 6. 1949 at the Opéra-Comique. After her retirement, she taught singing in Paris.

Chronology of some appearances

1917 Paris Théâtre Lyrique

1919 Paris Opéra-Comique

1921 Paris Grand Opera

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathé, Paris 1923?
Nozze di Figaro (Mozart): Viens, cher amant 0383 382
Zauberflöte (Mozart): Ah, l'ingrat 0393
Roméo et Juliette (Gounod): Je veux vivre 0393

Pathé, Paris 1924?
Fille du Régiment (Donizetti): Salut à la France  0416 949
Mireille (Gounod): O légère hirondelle 0416 944
Contes d'Hoffmann (Offenbach): Les oiseaux dans la charmille 0404, 917
Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Nobles Seigneurs 0404, 925

Polydor, Paris? 1928
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Una voce poco fà, pt 166842 1503BM I
Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Una voce poco fà, pt 2 66842 1504BM I
Faust (Gounod) Air des bijoux 66884 1485BM I
Faust (Gounod) Ballade du roi de Thulé 66998 1921BM
Il Pensieroso (Händel) Aria 66841 1494BM I
Il Re Pastore (Mozart) L'amerò, sarò costante 66841 1493½BM I I
Louise (Charpentier) Depuis le jour 66840 1486BM I
Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Deh vieni, non tardar 66884 1489BM I
Zauberflöte (Mozart) Air de Pamina 66998 1920BM

Pathé, Paris 1929?
Traviata (Verdi): Quel est donc ce trouble charmant 7191
Traviata (Verdi): Pour jamais ta destinée 7191

Podcast Hosting - Listen Audio -