Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

February 21, 1885 in St. Petersburg, Russia

Death

:

July 24, 1957 in Paris, France

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

Sacha Guitry was a French actor, playwright, and filmmaker who was born on February 21, 1885, in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. He was the son of Lucien Guitry, a famous actor, and playwright, and his mother was a Belgian actress named Renée Delmas. Sacha Guitry was raised in a family of artists, and he was exposed to the world of theater and music from a very young age. Guitry's family moved to Paris when he was still a child, and he began his career in the theater at the age of 17. He made his debut in a play called "Le Page" in 1902, and he quickly became known for his talent as an actor and playwright. Guitry wrote and performed in many successful plays during his career, including "Deburau," "Le Nouveau Jeu," and "Pasteur." In addition to his work in the theater, Guitry was also a talented musician. He played the piano and the violin, and he often incorporated music into his plays. Guitry was particularly interested in classical music, and he was a great admirer of the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Guitry's love of classical music led him to create a number of plays and films that were inspired by the lives and works of famous composers. One of his most famous works in this genre was the play "Mozart," which he wrote and performed in 1925. The play was a huge success, and it was later adapted into a film in 1936. Guitry's interest in classical music also led him to become involved in the world of opera. He wrote the libretto for the opera "Mozart et Salieri," which was composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and premiered in 1898. Guitry also wrote the libretto for the opera "Le Pauvre Matelot," which was composed by Darius Milhaud and premiered in 1927. In addition to his work in the theater and opera, Guitry was also a successful filmmaker. He began making films in the 1930s, and he went on to direct and star in a number of successful movies during his career. Some of his most famous films include "Quadrille," "La Poison," and "Si Versailles m'était conté." Guitry's talent as a filmmaker was recognized with a number of awards and honors during his career. He won the Best Director award at the Venice Film Festival in 1937 for his film "Pearls of the Crown," and he was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1939. Despite his success as an actor, playwright, filmmaker, and musician, Guitry's career was not without controversy. He was accused of collaborating with the Nazis during World War II, and he was briefly imprisoned after the war. However, he was eventually released and went on to continue his career in the arts. Sacha Guitry died on July 24, 1957, at the age of 72. He left behind a legacy as one of the most talented and versatile artists of his time. His contributions to the world of classical music, theater, and film continue to be celebrated and remembered today.

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