Joseph-Théodore-Désiré Barbot

Joseph-Théodore-Désiré Barbot, born in Toulouse on 12 April 1824, died in Paris on 1 January 1879, was a French operatic tenor. He is most notable for creating the title role in Charles Gounod's opera "Faust".

Training and career Joseph-Théodore-Désiré Barbot began his musical training at the Toulouse Cathedral and at first studied the violin. He moved to Paris and entered the Paris Conservatoire, intending to study composition and the violin, but on the advice of his professor, switched to studying voice with Manuel Garcia the younger. He went on to sing leading tenor roles at the Paris Opera in works including La dame blanche of Boieldieu, Le chalet by Adolphe Adam, and La Juive by Halévy. When Pauline Viardot retired as professor of singing at the Paris Conservatoire in 1875, he replaced her, and continued to teach singing there until his death.