Charles-Louis Sainte-Foy

The young Charles-Louis was originally apprenticed to a cabinet maker, but after displaying little enthusiasm for the job, his father sent him to the Paris Conservatory in 1836 where he studied music under Garaudé and Panseron and acting with Morin.

[1] Sainte-Foy made his debut at the Opéra-Comique in 1840 and became one of its most popular tenors, not so much for the quality of his voice but for his ability as a comic actor.

"[3] In 1845 Jean-Pierre Dantan made a sculptural caricature of him as Bertrand in Monsigny's Le déserteur, one of his signature roles.

[4] During the course of his career he created numerous character roles including Ali-Bajou in Thomas's Le caïd and Patachon in Offenbach's Les deux aveugles.

[5] He retained a great affection for his native town and returned to Vitry every year to give a charity performance in the small theatre there.