Paul Ferrier

Who was Paul Ferrier?

Paul Ferrier was a French dramatist, who also provided libretti for several composers, especially Varney and Serpette.

Ferrier was born in Montpellier. He had already produced several comedies when in 1873 he secured real success with two short pieces, Chez l'avocat and Les Incendies de Massoulard. Others of his numerous plays are Les Compensations; L'Art de tramper les femmes, with Émile de Najac.

One of Ferrier's biggest successes was the production with Fabrice Carré of Josephine vendue par ses sœurs, an opera bouffée with music by Victor Roger. His opera libretti include La Marocaine, music of Jacques Offenbach; Le Chevalier d'Harmental after the play of Alexandre Dumas, père, for the music of André Messager; La Fille de Tabarin, with Victorien Sardou, music of Gabriel Pierné.

Ferrier died in Nouan-le-Fuzelier, aged 77.