The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-15
o 81 TU AR Y.


Auber, the C0mp0ser.
A despatch nom Paris announces the death OF
Daniel Francois Esprit Auber, the celebrated mu-
steal composer IN the eighty eighth year OF MS age
He was the OF Paris printseller, and was born
at Caen during visit OF his parents TO that city, on
rne goth OF January, 1884. While q mere child he
Displayed q natural genius for drawing and music,
acquiring these arts with facility that induced his
Gather to abandon his purpose OF educating him for
a commercial life. Before he had reached his tenth
year he could play several instruments. including
the violin and piano, with considerable skill and
execution, and his parents, having consented 10
gratify his taste, gave him thorough musical edu-
cation. But although his musical genius was EVIL
debt 10 ali who knew him and were judges OF music
Auper did nothing IN mis- youth TO realize the expec
taions he had raised His compositions before
1913 we're few in number and were all OF little i'm
portance. During the year mentioned MS first
OPERA" lie Seour Militaire," was produced. 1t was
complete failure and overwhelmed him
with grief and modification. Soon after MS
father died, leaving his pecuniary affairs
in so deplorable condition that Auber was
reduced almost to poverty, and was compelled
for several years TO earn living by giving lessons
IN music. Meantime ne prepared 10 seek the judg.
ment of the musical public In another composition,
and in 1919 produced his second work, lie Tesla.
ment ct les biIlets-doux," at the Opera ComiQue.
Scjur Mihtaire," Auber, however, was not dis
heartened by this failure. He went TO work win
renewed Will. and during the following year
us2N produced la Bergere Chatelaine,"
which, though not q decided success, was
somewhat favorably received. Encouraged by
the popular appreciation, he next composed emma,
on la Promesse lmprudente" which appeared In
1921. In 1922 Leicester" was given to the public.
1t met with considerable success, and was remark.
able by the first association OF the two names OF
Auber ana Scrlbe-an ASSOCIATION hencefor'h In
separable-and by the first evidence 1t gave OF the
RossnIan influence III music. After Leicester"
there followed In quick succession LA Neige, in
"Leocadie," III three acts us24) lie Macon," in
three acts Qs25) which mad much popularity; "Le
Tlnide," IN one act, and "Fioreiia" Qs26 IN three
acts. which last named opera placed Auber IN the
ranks OF the most popular composers Tor the opera
comique.
But The great triumph OF Aubcr was yet to come.
He had wen popularity and reputation, but both
were local. He was now To enter upon wider
field ana before a larger audience. On the 29th of
February, 1928, the Grand Opera was crowded TO
its utmost capacity to witness the first perform
ance OF LA Muetie dc Porticl'-petier known to
English readers under the name OF "Massanieilo'-
an onera IN nve acts, the words OF which were
written by NM. Scribe ana Germ. Delavgne. In
school IN which ne had been educated
ana struck out new line CT music for HIN
placed i, equal footing with the most oeauti.
fl WORKS OF kossni and Meyerbeer IN the repertoire
OF the principal theatres throughout Europe It's
overture melodies and airs became the rage Of the
day, and one above all. the "Amour Sacre de 10
Patrie,m, was regarded as second 'Marseillaise
Hymn,' and two years later, when sung by Non
ritt, was the signal, at Brussels. Of the revolution
OF the 25th of August, 1880. NJ. Auber had PREV.
% Ssy ere q" an ooa IN Ge Ss
entitled .yendome en- Espagne," on the occasion
met S R Ma Dns esI fS " eF bio H
winch included Nourrit, Mime. Damoreau ana Nile.
peared at the opera Comlque, as did ia Fiancee',
the year previous. Both these pieces were received
with great applause and fully established Auber's
reputation as musical composer OF great genius.
We have not sufficient space to enter INFO the
details OF his subsequent tru l1l Among
Marquise de Brinvilners" qs3ll-the latter in
collaboration with Battou, Herold and Carafa;
de- Bronze'' ss5; "Acteon,n les en- chaperons
Blancs,n and ..L'Ambassadrice,n ali in 1885; LIE
Domino Nor' uss0, which he composed expressly
for Nine. Damoreau her retirement from the
stage; lie Lac des Fees' 1880; "Zanettam Qs4o)
lies Dlamants ae la Couronne" Qs4l); ia Barca
role'' QS45); 'Maaon Lescautu QS46l one OF the
pieces OF Auber the least favoraoy received by the
pubic and the critics. "L'Enfant Prologue (ls5O);
"Zerne, on la Marcnande d. Oranges QS5l), &c.
AuDer was undoubtedly one Of the few great mu-
steal genuses OF the age. HIS work is remarkable for
own and one in winch he had many imltators, but
rivals HIS music was, in general light and easy,
nal. He lacked the proiundty OF Rossini and other
great composers, and he was often charged with
neglectDg the orchestra. NevertheleSS, whatever
defects may he pointed out in his music. 1t Is GER
tam that the compositions OF Auber will live for
many years, and thus his name VIII descend 10
posterty that of one OF the greatest composers OF
the nineteenth century,
In April, 1s29, AuDer was elected member OF the
Institute in place OF NJ Gossec, and four years pre-
vIous was made Chevalier Ut the Legion OF Honor.
Immediately after the accession OF LOUIS Philippe
that monarch appointed hun Director OF the Court
Concerts, and in 1872 he succeeded, Director OF
the Conservatory Of Music, the celebrated Cheru-
bni whom he resembed least Of all the modern
masters. In 1S47 lie was promoted to the
rank OF Commander OF the Legion of
Honor, and after the revolution OF 1S4s
ana establishment OF the second empire was
taken into the favor or the Emperor, who appointed
him director OF music for the imperial chapel. Ma
poeon also named MIN Grand Ofilcer OF the Legion
OF Honor in 1851, that being the highest position
he could attain in thar order. Auber composed
musical piece for The opening OF the great Interna-
ti0nal Exhibition OF 1862. lie composed but little Or
nothing afterward II his great age had not I'm
paired his genius and his devotion to music II had
at least, Impaired his capacity for labor. Full OF
years the old composer has gone TO his grave eav.
ing behind fame which can only die with civlliZa-
ton ITSELF