Yvette Guilbert


Guilbert, Yvette

 

Born Jan. 20, 1867, in Paris; died Feb. 2, 1944, in Aix-en-Provence. French stage singer.

Guilbert made her debut as a variety singer in 1890. She performed in Paris and made guest performances in England, Germany, Austria, and Italy. In 1896 she appeared in the USA. Guilbert created a special genre of French light music, the “songs of the end of the century” (chansons de fin de siècle), and developed a characteristic style of delivery (the so-called emploi Yvette), distinguished by its eccentric and grotesque manner. Guilbert was painted by the artist Toulouse-Lautrec (portraits and caricatures).

WORKS

Le Chanson de ma vie: Mes mémoires. Paris, 1927.
Autres Temps, autres chants, 12th ed. [Paris] 1946.