Permanent conductor of the Paris Opera from 1956 to 1972, sixteen years: the longest period of his career. His epitaph retains none of it and carves “chef d'orchestre, concerts colonne” — conductor, Concerts Colonne — after the orchestra he conducted next. He had made his debut in 1945 with the Orchestre Pasdeloup.
The story
His epitaph makes a choice: “Pierre DERVAUX, chef d'orchestre, 1917-1992, concerts colonne.” The trade, the dates, and the name of just one of his orchestras.
Born at Juvisy-sur-Orge on 3 January 1917, he gave his first concert in 1945 with the Orchestre Pasdeloup, at twenty-eight. Two years later he was conductor at the Opéra-Comique, where he stayed until 1953.
From 1956 to 1972 he was permanent conductor of the Paris Opera — sixteen years at the leading French lyric house, the longest stretch of his career. He then became artistic director of the Concerts Colonne, the orchestra Gabriel Pierné had conducted.
He died in 1992. Nothing on the stone of the sixteen years spent in the pit of the Opera, below the stage: he must have chosen the concert orchestra.
The grave
An inscription that makes a choice: “Pierre DERVAUX, chef d'orchestre, 1917-1992, concerts colonne.” — conductor, Concerts Colonne. The profession, the dates, and the name of only one of his orchestras — the Concerts Colonne, of which he was artistic director at the end of his career. Nothing of the sixteen years at the Paris Opera (1956-1972), nor of the Opéra-Comique. He will have chosen the concert orchestra over the pit.
On site, do not miss
The inscription retains the profession and a single orchestra — not the Opera: “Pierre DERVAUX, chef d'orchestre, 1917-1992, concerts colonne.” — conductor, Concerts Colonne.
Visitors' questions
Where is Pierre Dervaux's grave?
In Division 10, chemin du Père-Éternel, first row. The inscription is short and exact: “Pierre DERVAUX, chef d'orchestre, 1917-1992, concerts colonne” — the profession and the orchestra. He died in 1992, at seventy-five.
Gustave CharpentierWhich orchestras did he conduct?
The Opéra-Comique (1947-1953), the Paris Opera as permanent conductor (1956-1972), and the Concerts Colonne as artistic director until he retired. He had started out with the Orchestre Pasdeloup in 1945.
Gabriel PiernéHow long did he stay at the Opera?
Sixteen years: from 1956 to 1972, as permanent conductor of the Paris Opera — the first opera house in France. It was the longest stretch of his career.
Philippe GaubertWhen did he begin?
In 1945, with the Orchestre Pasdeloup, at twenty-eight. Two years later he was conducting at the Opéra-Comique — a fast rise in the musical Paris of the post-war years.
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