New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-08
AMBROSE THOMAS.
Ernuu LIE Einnrn


AMBROSE Thomas was born in Mez; lis father
was a compo' er and publisher of music At seven
years old Ambrose had already attained 10 pro-
icieucy upon the piano and the violin. When but
ten years old he took part IN concert given for the
benefit of local charity He was small and
slight that he could not be seen by those IN the
dence over fhe top OF the piano at which he pre-
sided and which had the appearance OF playing by
itself after the fashion OF an orchestrion. Al tho
Conservaore in Paris he was awarded the prIne for
mastery Of the piano and later was fortunate enough
to gam the grand Prix de Rome In the villa
M6dics Thomas had for his director Horace VerDet,
and was associated with smart, Jonfiroy, Ballard
and Flandrin. lie was very fond of going into So
ciefy at Rome.
Returningt to Paris after three years. he carried
with him profound Impression of the grandeur
and sublmity of Dante TO " hose works he had given
careful study. successful comic opera enabled
hun to double his price for music lessons. and at
the age of twentv-sx his position assured.
Unlike many musicians of talent he was
obliged to struggle with the demon OF poverty
portrait by Flandrin OF Ambrose Thomas at twenty
four represents the young artist az far IN complex
ion, serious in expression and OF slender Frame
RossIni said, abiding 10 his grave appearance:
"Ambroise Thomas was born old
In his walks about Paris, Thomas Is generally
alone. In the din and confusion OF Pans
crowd he finds some song for which he ~
searching. This mingling with men keeps tho ar
fist always In sympathy with the age. Amid tho
noises of the busy day he walks like q sonnambu-
list reading invisible hbretti signed 10y Shake
speare. Goethe or Dante.
He spends ms vacations at his cOuntry-house in
Treguer an odd house, built with rough stones aud
situated upon the Sea-shOrc 1nOna- loves tile roar
OF the sea. An irresistible force draws him toward
the grand in Nature.
lie sometimes had Berlloz for companion in his
walks. These two of genius were much at
tached to each other Ber0E had mpassiOned
fondness for Shakespeare. of whom the two masters
used to converse With ardor 20 absorbed would
they become that they would SOP and gesticulate
until perhaps. they found themselves surrounded
by gaping crowd Of men aud bows who thought
them both mad.
Thomas should be in the office which he
Az Director (OuseIVafolre.
Among his predecessors Cherubini was 100 severe.
and Auber too lenient at times. But with what
grace, beBevolence and distinction Thomas governs
this world OF singers which is sometimes swept by
little tempests of temper! In his private room he
gives himself up wholly to his art. The room is
furnished with the striking taste displayed in his
house ATgeneuIl. Pictures and statu ties abound,
together with Interesting souvenirs gathered in bIs
travels. There IL sort of piano-secretary at which
he sits. 1t would seem that he wrote with one
hand and played with the other.
Age has brought TO Ambrose Thomas only
strength aud deeper insight into the human heart
and in FRANCHISE de Rimini" there all the pas.
sion of feTvent youth.