The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-19
DEATH OF M. GOUNOD
WOrld-Famed Composer SuccumbS
to Paralysis of the Brain.
His Demise Occurs at st. ClOud-Brief
Review of His Career-Mrs. R0s-
cOe COnkling Dead.

the composer, died this morning. The d.
rect cause of his death is certified to have
been general paralysis of the brain. A rep
resentative of the United Press to-day Wis
tied Villa Zimmerman, at st. Clond, where
the great composer died. He was admitted
to the death chamber, where he found
Madame Gounod, her daughter and her lit
tie grandchildren sobbing painfully. The
face of the dead man was calm. Since
death was announced there has been
stream of visitors at the villa, leaving their
cards and inscribing their names in a
book NJ Perncarre. Minister of Public
instruction, has telegraphed his regrets to
Madame Gounod adding: This loss, so
cruel for you and yours, is not less for
French art, of which the illustrious com
poser will ever remain In one OF It's purest
glOrieS. 49,
1t is possible that there will be state
funeral If there is not services will be
held at st. Cloud, and the remains WIN De
inferred in the family vault at Auteil.
The great composer was born in Paris
June II, 1873 He entered the conservatoire
at the age of twenty, and in the following
year carried off the great Rome" prize
emitting him to residence in Italy, where
he studied early Italian church music
On his return to France he soon became
known as a lyric composer for the stage
by his pastoral of philemon and Baucls.
This was followed by LA Nome Sang
lante," "Sappho' cantata, and La CO.
lombe" Yet in spite of the unquestionaole
marks of genius which these works con-
tanned, none achieved success. Indeed, 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 pro-
Of fret
that one of the librettists wrote to
Gounod, "ReQuiescat in pace! Our Faust
is buried Happily for this and future
generations the announcement proved false
Among NJ. Gounod's principal works may
be mentioned a comic opera founded on
Notwithstanding audiences as The
Mock Doctor" La Rein de Saba;
'.Mirelle,'' brought out in London in 1864;
and London in 1867 and "Polyeucte, pro-
duced at the Grand Opera, Paris. Oct. z.
1878. He was elected member of the
French Institute, section of music, in May,
1866, and was promoted to the rank of COM
mander of the Legion of Honor in 1871.
the Grand Opera in Paris on April ], 1881.
In the following year his sacred work,
THE Redemption, was produced at the
His last opera was Charlotte Corday."
Until very recently the great composer
gree. recent visitor thus describes him:
1.-THE fire of his eye is not quenched; his
eloquence is as spontaneous and sparkling
as of yore, and, like all enthusiastic ma
lures he is all the more delightful that he
has reticence, timidity or discrimination.
He allows his instincts to carry him along,
and they are all genial and sympathetic
he is graciousy communicative. and one
feels inclined to apply to him one OF his
own expressions; His soul looks out
vaded by the atmosphere radiating from
the personality Of it's master, whose I'M
failing courtesy and encouraging cordially
never keep a visitor waiting or let him
depart unsatisfied with his reception. Gou-
nod is tall, quick in his movements and
easy in his gestures. he habitually appears
in smoking coat of black velvet, thrown
we'll back on his broad chest; silk handker-
chief is carelessly knotted under the loose
collar of his wooden shirt; his remarkably
small feet, of which he is not a little vain
are always shod in the nattiest of patent
leather shoes When a friend or acquaint-
scull cap he constantly wears and then
comes forward with extended hands and a
warm welcome. He is kind-too kind,
even to the indiscreet applicants who do
not scruple to invade his privacy or take
up his valuable time, but, as he says him.
self, he cannot help it His mobile feat
convey the impression of constant atten-
ton to the interest Of his interlocutor.''
ITO have known Gounod personally"
says Mime. de Strueve; ito have seen him
merrily playing the 'Marche Funebre d. Une
Marionette while relating the incidents of
the little drama to group of young people;
to have watched him caressing a child; to
have listened to his warm, unfettered elo-
quence when he became interested in any
subject; to have received some of his pleas
ant, 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 immortal the woes of Marguerite.
the passion of Juliet, the voluptuousness of
Sappho write the Christian hymn of the
'Stabat Mater sigh the song of Magili
and lend his wild rhythm to Bret Harte' s
Bells of Monterey"