Gabriel Bacquier was a renowned French operatic baritone, born on May 17, 1924, in Béziers, France, to railway employees. He was the only child and developed an early fascination with singing, often listening to records, broadcasts, and gazing at photographs of singers.
After leaving school at the age of 14, Bacquier worked at his uncle's print-shop while pursuing commercial art studies in Montpellier. However, during the Vichy regime, his parents arranged for him to serve national service in the Chantiers de Jeunesse on the railways to avoid persecution.
As a teenager, Bacquier took voice lessons with Madame Bastard in his free time and made his operatic debut during World War II as Ourrias in Gounod's Mireille in the town arena. After the war, he enrolled in the Paris Conservatoire, graduating in 1950 with a scholarship due to his family's modest means.
Bacquier was a contemporary of prominent French singers Régine Crespin, Xavier Depraz, Michel Sénéchal, and Michel Roux. During his final year, he was allowed to work at the Opéra de Nice, singing small roles in operas and operettas, and gained valuable experience and income.
Having already won a first prize for opéra comique, Bacquier won first prize for singing and second prize for opera at the conclusion of his formal studies. He also took a course in dramatic art around this time.
Bacquier joined the opera company of José Beckmans in 1950 and was a member of La Monnaie in Brussels from 1953 until 1956, making his debut in the title role of Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia. He sang the French repertoire, including opera and operetta, and appeared in Puccini's La bohème and Madama Butterfly, as well as Smetana's The Bartered Bride.
During his time at the Monnaie, Bacquier met French soprano Martha Angelici, who suggested he audition for the Paris Opera, which accepted him. He became a long-term member of the Opéra-Comique and the Paris Opera, forging a successful international career at leading opera houses in Europe and the U.S.
