Franz, Paul (30 November 1876, Paris; April 1950, Paris), vocalist, originally named Franz Gauthier, was invited to sing at the Opéra after he had won a singing contest in 1907. He made his debut as a tenor in the title-role of Lohengrin on 1 February 1909, the same year that he sang the male leads in Samson et Dalila, Sigurd, Roméo et Juliette, Faust, and Tannhaüser in a display of virtuosity and versatility that had to impress even the most demanding spectators. In his second year at the…