Talma, FRANÇOIS JOSEPH

Talma, FRANÇOIS JOSEPH, an eminent French tragedian, was the son of a dentist, and was born at Paris, 15th January 1763. He made a creditable début in 1787 at the Comédie Française as Séide in Mahomet, but the occasion of his first great success was his innovation in costume when playing Proculs in the tragedy of Brutus. Previously actors had worn the garb of their own country and even their own time. Talma appeared in a Roman toga. 'Look at Talma,' said a member of the company; 'how ridiculous he is! He has quite the air of an ancient statue!' a compliment as exquisite as it was unintentional. Henceforth Talma, aided by the counsels of the painter David, made a point of rigorous accuracy in costume; and his own remarkably handsome figure, fine voice, and perfect elocution, together with that matchless ease of movement which came after much labour, combined to fit him for the highest tragic rôles. But it was not till 4th November 1789, when he played Charles IX. in Chénier's play, that he rose to his full height in popular estimation. In 1791 he quarrelled with his associates, and with some other dissentients founded the Théâtre Français de la rue de Richelieu—the name changed next year to Théâtre de la République. Here he reigned throughout the Revolution in such characters as Othello; Nero in Epicharis et Néron; and Ægistheus in Agamemnon. Some of his later characters were among his best; Leicester in Marie Stuart; Sylla; Orestes; Leonidas; and Charles VI. Talma died 19th October 1826. See Mémoires sur Talma, by Moreau (1826), and his Autobiography, edited by A. Dumas (4 vols. 1849-50).