Numa Auguez by Geruzet Freres

Numa Auguez (1847-1903); French baritone.

In 1867 he started his vocal studies at the Conservatoire National de Paris. In 1872 he was engaged at the Grand-Opéra where he remained until 1881. In 1878 he created the role of Néarque in Gounod's "Polyeucte". In the season 1883/84 he made guest appearances in Italy. Auguez's significance however, is in the field of concert singing. Everywhere in France the richness of his voice, his fine sense of style and his exemplary pronunciation was admired.
On 18 May 1879 he participated in the private première (at Offenbach's house) of "Les contes d'Hoffmann". The work was presented in an abridged form with Madame Franck-Duvernoy in the soprano roles, Numa Auguez as Hoffmann (baritone) and Émile-Alexandre Taskin in the four villain roles with Edmond Duvernoy at the piano.In 1889 he was appointed as a professor at the Conservatoire National de Paris. He was married to the concert singer Berthe de Monthalant.