Arizona republican., 1893-12-09
THE LIFE OF GOUNOD.
It Was as Sweet as His Great
Compositions.
"Love, Work and Friendship Are the Only
Real Things on Earth" Was the Fa-
vorite Expression OF the French
Maestro.


Charles Gounod, the famous COM
poser, who died at Paris October IS,
was born in that city June II, 1918. He
entered the Conservatoire at the age of
twenty and in the following year car
ried off the great Rome" prize en-
titling him to residence in Italy, where
he studied early Italian church music.
On his return to France he soon be-
came known as lyric composer for
the stage by his pastoral of philemon
and Baucis." This was followed by
La Nome Sanglante," "Sappho,"
cantata, and LA Colombo"
Yet, in spite of the unquestionable
marks of genius which these works
contained, none achieved success. In
deed, few composers who have risen to
eminence have had more failures at
the outset than the immortal author of
Faust" Strange to say, this most
celebrated of all his productions was
so misunderstood at first that one of
the ibrettists wrote to Gounod:
''Requiescat in pace! Our Faust is
buried" Happily for this and future
generations the announcement proved
false.
Among M. Gounod's principal works
may be mentioned comic opera
founded on Moliere's ''Medecin Malgre
Lui," known to English-speaking audi
ences as 1.-THE Mock Doctor la
Refine de Saba" ''Mirelle," brought
out in London in 1864; Romeo and
Juliet" produced in Paris and London
in 1867, and "Polyeucte," produced at
the Grand Opera, Paris, October Z, 1878.
He was elected member of the
French institute, section of music, in
May, 1866, and was promoted to the
rank of commander of the Legion of
Honor in 1877.
1.-THE Tribute of Zomora" was pro-
duced at che Grand Opera in Paris on
April 1, 1881. In the following year
his sacred work, ''The Redemption"
was produced at the musical festival at
Birmingham. In 1885 the oratorio
"Mors ct Vita" was produced. His
last opera was Charlotte Corday."
Until very recently the great COM
poser retained his faculties to re-
markabIe degree. A recent visitor
thus describes him: "The fire of his
eye is not quenched; his eloquence is
as spontaneous and sparkling as of
yore, and like all enthusiastic natures,
he is all the more delightful that he
has no reticence, timidity or dissimu-
lation. He allows his instincts to car
ry him along, and as they are all genial
and sympathetic he is graciously COM
municative, and one feels inclined to
apply to him one of his own express
sions: His soul looks out from crys-
tai mirror His study is pervaded by
the atmosphere radiating from the per-
sonality of its master, whose unfailing
courtesy and encouraging cordially
never keeps visitor waiting or lets
him depart unsatisfed with his recep-
ton. Gounod is tall, quick in his move
ments and easy in his gestures; he
of black velvet thrown well back on
his broad chest; silk handkerchief
is carelessly knotted under the loose
collar of his wooden shirt; his re-
markably small feet, of which
he is not little vain, are al
ways shod in the nattiest of pat
ent-leather shoes. When a friend or
acquaintance is announced he prompt
~ lifts the skull cap he constantly
wears and then comes forward with
extended hands and warm welcome.
He is kind-too kind, even to the in
discreet applicants who do not scruple
to invade his privacy or take up his
valuable time; but, as he says himself,
he cannot help it. His mobile fea-
lures reflect every passing expression
and convey the impression of constant
attention to and interest in his inter-
locutor."
ITO have known Gounod PERSONAL
~" says Nine. de Strueve; ''to have
seen him merrily playing the 'Marche
Funebre dune Marionnette' while re-
lating the incidents of the little drama
to a group of young people; to have
watched him caressing child; to have
listened to his warm, unfettered elo-
quence when he became interested in
any subject; to have received some of
his pleasant, graphic notes, is to have
gathered memories that will endure
forever, and to feel an undying love
and regard for the genius who could
with equal grace and ease be the most
charming social companion, render i'm
mortal the woes of Marguerite, the
passion of Juliet, the voluptuousness
OF Sappho, write the Christian hymn
of 'Stabat Mater sigh the song of
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