Anna Thibaud

Anna Thibaud (14 December 1861 – 18 April 1948 ) was a French singer. She had a wide repertoire, attractive stage presence and excellent voice. She performed at important venues in Paris during a lengthy career.

Life Birth There is confusion about her date of birth.

François Thibaudot, shoemaker, married Josephine Breton on November 6, 1850, in Saint-Aubin, Jura. From this wedding was born a first Marie-Louise Thibaudot on December 14, 1861. Widowed, François then married Anne Renaud on 7 November 1866 in the same town. From this marriage was born a second Marie-Louise Thibaudot on July 30, 1867: She married on September 3, 1887, at the town hall of the 7th arrondissement of Paris with a sales representative named Henri Charles Ferdinand Alan, son of Jean Louis Félix dit Auguste Alan, engineer, and Fany Eternod. This couple then settled in Mériel (Val-d'Oise): they were included in the 1906 census of this town where the spouse, named "Anne-Marie", is noted being out of work. She is therefore Anna Thibaud's half-sister because Anna's artistic career began in 1886.

Her actual date of birth is therefore December 14, 1861. This date is confirmed on her death certificate in Paris in 1948

Then she continued to sing in the occupied countries (Saarland and Rhineland), at the Invalides and Val-de-Grâce for the incurable, under the presidency of General Mariaud. She was also a professor of French song for 25 years at the Chebroux Foundation (4th arrondissement town hall).

She sang in all charitable and mutual societies without distinction of opinion.

She was a member of the Comité d'Action de l'Ophelinat des Arts (Action Committee of the Orphanage of the Arts), an honorary member of the Société des Artistes Lyriques, an adherent member of the Union des Arts, a member of the Oeuvre des Trente ans de Théâtre, a member of the Chanson de Paris, an honorary member of the Hospitaliers et Sauveteurs de France and a member of the Oeuvre des Colonies Scolaires.

In 1906, she received the Silver Medal of the Mutualité; in 1907, the Medal of Honour of the Encouragement to the Good; in 1919 the Diploma of the French League (17th arrondissement); and in 1920, the Medal of Vermilion of the Encouragement to Progress and the Medal of Honour of the Encouragement to Dedication.

In the early 1930s, Anna Thibaud was still performing at the Palace. In May 1932, describing an evening at the well-known goguette Lice chansonnière, Charles de Bussy wrote "In a halo of glory the beautiful artist Anna Thibaut, queen of the song, happy to have come here tonight, interpreting in her tender and spiritual voice Étoile d'amour, Ce qu'une femme n'oublie pas and Cinq heures du matin. Desaugiers offers to neophytes, with the most exquisite modesty, the salutary example of great art."

Her career lasted 55 years.

Distinctions Officer of the Instruction Publique in 1907 Officer of the Nichan Iftikhar in 1926 Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 1936

Death Anna Thibaud died in Paris on 18 April 1948.

Work

Anna Thibaud had a varied repertoire, including songs created by Yvette Guilbert, ribald songs and romances. The few recordings that have survived show that she was a fine singer. She was one of the creators of the famous song Quand les lilas refleuriront (1890). She recorded this song in 1899 and again in 1904. Other songs include Rose d'amour (Léon Durocher/Paul Delmet), Vous êtes jolie (Léon Suès/Paul Delmet), Le voyage circulaire (Villemer-Delormel/Emile Bouillon), Si vous la rencontrez (Eugène Riffey/Rémi Aube) and A présent qu't'es vieux (Paul Marinier).

Publications Music sheets often credited Anna Thibaud as the performer of the works.