Pierre Nougaro

Pierre Nougaro (27 April 1904 in Toulouse - 26 October 1988 in Marseille) was a French operatic baritone, the father of famous singer Claude Nougaro.

As a child, Nougaro quickly discovered the world of music and attended the Théâtre du Capitole. He enrolled in the evening classes of the Conservatoire de Toulouse  at the instigation of his parents, who were themselves choristers. Obtaining a first prize for lyrical declamation gave him access to the Parisian stages.

Recognized as a true exceptional singer, Nougaro took up the position of director of the Théâtre Ledoux  in Besançon in the 1950s and then of the Rennes theatre in 1958.

In Rennes, the theatre was in crisis and Nougaro was responsible for bringing back a large number of audiences. He therefore renew the programme and offered the people of Rennes great operatic galas, operettas and a new creation every year. He also brought in the big names of the Opéra Garnier.

In 1967, he retired from the Rennes theatre (later called the Opéra de Rennes ) after having successfully completed the restructuring requested some ten years earlier.

From the 1970s and for many years to come, his strong personality and dramatic talent opened the door to a new career in television and film. He appeared in many TV movies, and in movies where he played for Claude Chabrol and for Claude Berri.