Mendès, Catulle
(1841–1909)
Mendès, CatulleMendès, CatulleCatulle Mendès (B * BORDEAUX, 1841 – D † SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, 1909) An ardent Wagnerite, he was instrumental in the formation of the Parnassians with the Revue fantaisiste (1861). He was married to Théophile Gautier's strong-minded, creative daughter Judith (1846–1917) for eight years. Father Gautier objected vehemently to the marriage, despite Mendès' poetic brilliance, on the grounds that Mendès was an »amoral homosexual.« Judith's love affair with Wagner…