Camille du Locle

French theatre director and librettist Camille du Locle (1832–1903) is best known for mounting the premiere of Bizet’s Carmen, and for his collaborations with Verdi.

Du Locle was born in Orange. He assisted his uncle Emile Perrin while he was director of Paris Opéra 1862–70 and went on to manage the Opéra-Comique, with Adolphe de Leuven 1870–74 and alone 1874–6. Events during his tenure include the controversial premiere of Bizet’s Carmen. Du Locle first worked with Verdi in 1867 when he completed Joseph Méry’s libretto for Don Carlos after Méry’s death. The two became friends and Du Locle later provided the prose scenario for Aida and worked on the French translations of Aida, La forza del destino and Simon Boccanegra.

Du Locle was also a close friend of Reyer, and provided the librettos for his Sigurd and Salammbô.