Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-11

June l.. ISIS. His father was painter
Of ability. and his mother a pianist OF
superior capability. She died while her
SOD was still young. but not before be
had adopted the pursuit Of excellence
II music as bis chief work. After en-
toying superior preparatory instruction
IL his art, at eighteen years OF age GOu-
nod became pupil II the COnserya-
tore, Paris. When he was twenty-one
he carried off the Grand PriX de
Rome. awarded blythe French Institute.
for cantata, Z" Fernand." Before
leaving the ConseryatOire be composed
& solemn mass, which was sung IL Paris
by the choir Of the Church OF ST.
Eustache. After completing his course
Paris he proceeded TO Rome. where
be resided II the Medici palace. and
made study Of the old masters. Of
Palestrina more particularly. His sec
Ond solemn mass was produced al Paris
II 1871. when he was again resident
Of the French capital, after which be
was appointed honorary chapel-master
to the Church Of Foreign Missions. lie
held this Office six years, during which
be studied his art with assiduOus dill
geDce. While occupying this position
be married & daughter Of NJ. thinner
man. a professor Of the piano
at the Conservative. This step had
the effect Of putting an end TO what
seemed during one period Of his life the
possibility that he would enter holy
orders. lie loved theology and al one
time was an oui-pupil Of the Seminalre.
thus gaining the considerable learning
which places him among the few cru
ditc composers Of eminence. Gounod 5
first opera. - Sapho. was produced IN
, le5-. q short time subsequent 10 an ell
thusisstic recognition Of his genius OF
music that had appeared in the Aias-
/ mum. Of London. the first influential
journal 10 appreciate his great abii
ity. The opera was not 3 re-
markable success. In 1852 the
corporation Of Paris appointed GOu-
nod Director Of the Orpheon. choral
society. which served as training
school for the Conservatory. In the
eight wears during which be held this
position be produced choruses for Pom
sard's tragedy Of " Ulysse." the opera
OF lie Medicin Mslgre Lui. and, In
F 1889, " Faust" his first triumph. This
was produced IL Paris March 70. ls59.
Tie work was enthusiastically lauded
by the public. and such eminent COM
posers as Moscheles, Auber, and Ros-
sini FASTENED to honor It's nov distin-
guished author. "F&ust was produced
ID London in June, 1868. In Eng
land. Germany. Italy, Russia. IN
this country and In ali other countries.
il is regarded Is a masterpiece. Within
eight wears from the production OF
d" Faust Gounod composed - phile-
mon ei Baucis. - " La Colombo, = - Is
RENE de Saba, hrreille, and " RO-
meo et Juliette." A year before. IN
1896, Gounod had produced an orAto-
no. Tobias first presented II Lon
don. Between lSG7 and 1877 he COM
posed the music for two dramas
LES Deux ReInes de France. ="
and Jeanne dare IN 49,
the opera Of Cirque Mars" in
1875. that Of = Polyecute, and IN 1851,
lie Tribut de ZaInora. His '.Maitre
Pierre" first performed In 1881, was
intended for performance At concerts.
The oratorio OF Redemption" was
FIRE; produced At the birmingham Music
Festival Of 1889, and was Ms last
great work before - Death and Life
Gounod takes rank with the immortal
masters Of the musical art. His genius,
which is Of the highest order, Is sup
ported by due learning and consummate
cnlture.