François-Louis Henry

François-Louis(-Ferdinand) Henry (12 May 1786 – 22 February 1855) was a French baritone, who sang for about 35 years with the Opéra-Comique in Paris, where he created numerous leading roles. His stage name was Henri (or Henry). He has also been referred to as François-Louis Deshayes.

Birth and identity He was born in Versailles with the family name of Deshayes. Relatively little is known about his life, and during his career at the Opéra-Comique he was only identified as Henry or Henri. However, it is as good as certain that he is identical with François-Louis Henry, who attended, and later taught at, the Conservatoire de Paris. He was a student of Charles Simon Catel, a professor of harmony, and won a second prize in harmony in 1810.

On 1 April 1816 Henry was appointed to a paid position as professor of vocalization (vocalisation). He became a professor of singing (chant) for a two-year trial (prior to 9 June 1835) and received his permanent position as professor of singing on 1 January 1837. He retired on 15 November 1842.

After about 1845 Henry was also active as a stage director at the Opéra-Comique.

Henry's farewell performance was in 1850 (after his official retirement), when he performed Fortunatus in Auber's L'ambassadrice.

La clochette Ferdinand Hérold

Rica Le maçon Daniel Auber

Gaveston La dame blanche François-Adrien Boieldieu

Marie Ferdinand Hérold

Mathéo Fra Diavolo Daniel Auber

Faribolini Cosimo ou le peintre badigeonneur

Gilbert Les chaperons blanc Daniel Auber

Larchant Guise ou les états de Blois George Onslow

négociant Lequel? ou Le fils et orphelin Aimé Leborne

Maître Birminstel Marguerite Adrien-Louis Boieldieu

Sergeant Toby Le brasseur de Preston Adolphe Adam

John Porter Lady Melvil, ou Le joaillier de Saint-James Albert Grisar

3rd Neapolitan Les treize Fromental Halévy

Sergeant Sulpice La fille du régiment Gaetano Donizetti Nicolas Dalayrac

L'aïeule Adrien-Louis Boieldieu

Babylas Le diable à l'école Ernest Boulanger

Mugnoz Le duc d'Olonne Daniel Auber

Sheriff Bolbury Le puits d'amour Michael William Balfe

John-Bred Lambert Simnel Hippolyte Monpou

Tomassi Cagliostro Adolphe Adam

Bolbaya La sirène Daniel Auber

Goulard Le trompette de Monsieur le Prince François Bazin

Lord Catesby Gibby la cornemuse Louis Clapisson

Grand Syndic Le val d'Andorre Fromental Halévy

Aboul-y-far Le caïd Ambroise Thomas