The first Eurovision Song Contest held in 1956 featured a French soprano named Marie-Thérèse Renée Micheline Altéry, known professionally as Mathé Altéry. Representing her home country, she performed the song "Le temps perdu" alongside fellow contestant Dany Dauberson during the inaugural broadcast. Her career spanned decades, establishing her as a notable figure in both opera and television performance.
Early Life and Vocal Training
Born in Paris in 1927, she is the daughter of Mario Altéry, a French tenor. Her introduction to the music industry began in Cherbourg-Octeville, located in the Manche region of Normandy, where her father held a professional position. She received a formal education in classical music, which served as the foundation for her subsequent work as an opera singer and actor.
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She gained early professional experience as a chorister at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Her stage repertoire included roles in operettas such as Annie du Far-West and La Toison d'Or. In 1956, she reached an international audience as a French representative for the first Eurovision Song Contest. Because the judges only announced the winning entry during that specific year, the official ranking for her performance of "Le temps perdu" remains unrecorded.
Broadcast and International Work
By the mid-1960s, her work extended into international television and radio. She appeared in the 1965 CBC Television anthology series, Festival, specifically in an episode titled "The Season of Love." During this broadcast, she performed selections from Oscar Strauss, The Count of Luxembourg, and various musical works by Rodgers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe. Her contributions also included appearances on Société Radio-Canada television productions and French-Canadian radio broadcasts, focusing on songs popular during the early 20th century.
Professional Recognition
Throughout her career, she maintained a dual focus on operatic performances and acting. Her contributions to the arts were formally acknowledged through her appointment as a Knight of the Legion of Honour. As of 2025, she holds the distinction of being the oldest living participant from the original Eurovision Song Contest.
Fast facts
- Born: 12 September 1927, Paris
- Occupation: Opera singer, actor
- Citizenship: France
- Notable Recognition: Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Debut Eurovision Appearance: 1956
Questions readers ask
What song did Mathé Altéry perform at the first Eurovision?
She sang "Le temps perdu" representing France.
Is Mathé Altéry still living?
Yes, as of 2025, she remains the oldest living Eurovision contestant.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: pop music and opera
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