New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-19


Charles Fran -ois Gounod born In Paris on
June II. 1915 lie received his early musical cluca-
ton from his mother. n distinguished pianist and
In 1896. after having finished his Classical studies
at the Iycec ~. Louis. and taken his degree. ne
entered the Conservatolrc do Musiiue In Paris
where he In Halevy's class for counterpont
and learned composition from Paer and Lesrieur
In 1897 his cantata Marie Stuart ct Rizzio OBJ
tanned the second "Prix de Rome" In 1899 his
cantata "Fcrnand" brought him the Grand PIX
While in Rome peLsoner OF the Academic
de France, Gounod chiefly occupied himself with
the study Of the old masters. especially Palestrina
His first important compositions were mass
for three equal voices and full orchestra, which
was performed May !. lsil. at the Church OF
San Luigi lei Francesi. and mass for three voices
without accompaniment. which produced In
Vienna In 1873 on his return TO Paris Gounod
became chapelnas;cr OF the Missions Etrangcres."
At this period he attended for two years n course
OF theology. and n generally expected that
he would take orders. but he gave up the Idea
OF entering the priesthood Tho public heard litte
Of him from 1915 to lSO but II was probable
during this time that he wrote his MesSe
Solcnnclle" In c. for solos. chorus. orchestra and
organ. which gave him his first appearance before
the world. But the theatre destined mainly
to occupy 81 Gounod for many years His first
opera, "Sapho.' given at the Academic de
Musique. Paris April 49, 1851. with Nine
Viarlot I'm the principal part. Though containing
many passages rich in color but scarcely aramar n
the grand Hcena OF Sapho Hero sur la tour;
and the herdsman's air have alone survived. IN
writing the chorases for PonsarIs ,fag"ag 1 ta
"t'lvsse" dS,2. VI. Gounod again attemptel 20
produce antique color!Dg by means OF rhy tninSa
but the music was pronounced monotonous.
From iNi2 to NJ, ne conductor OF the
ohron ~ p ,b Hhe several cSoruse and
two masses FOR four mems voices re aIso wr4 1,
success at the concerts Of the Association des
Jcunes Artistes." though they were OF no I'M,
ilyc.act opera founded on a weird legend
Monk. T Ssi0s s dn oc Spy s'f i
After this second failure at the Academic. NJ
Council sought success eise"hsr" ana on Janua i
Mlden MaErs IT, an 9psTa sGa% eomeGy
The music Of this work is refined; so good judge
ms Or Won Buelow estimating 1t more h'sn''
'" on March 49, 1859 he produced at the Theatre
yrquc his opera OF FaSst with Nine M niaSnj
h Sm in the he rst rank OF living composers His
philemon ct Baueis one,acs opera For
Rr con- eom nns" season IN his civ ,ewritsen in
three act, FOR re Thcatre yTqus %he Tse great
Success OF Faust" the doors Of the Acade Imc
were again opened to n G9unod but ms eb nrry
o. isse dId not rise TO the general , ex-
nscta,on or this Work only yyrppcod at the Theatre
iyrlane on March 10. 1854, was secured ny 'n ne
especially BY the :psne oomnc Composed
originally for the heatre at nad.n was pT oyn.oc
opera. on April q. 1861 In the latter Wprh Ne
snvorite pieces are the song OF queen MAD, VA
t,ot In the garden n short chorus In the scronu
act the pages song ana the duel scene in inc th'fu
act. ,,,s ,,,r,,, ,,hich no
appeared In public the Phiharmone the rryS,a'
I5aiace and Mrs Georgiana Weldon's concerts n.
rramnod Cvho had been elected member OF the
Instiut de France the death OF Clapss9n Ill, IN
isc,, returned TO Paris. where he resumed inc
nosi,on to which his genius entitled him On Aptli
: ISL he produced ''Cinq Mars at the nnsatr re
the haste In which 1t was designed and executed;
"Po,yeucte'' based on the familiar Tragedy OF
-u u,y vas nroduc.d at the Grand Opera on
/ October T. 1873 and his last opera, lie Iriput ue
/ Zamora" on April l. ISL , J.. ,.o
com rosi,lon Of sacred music and his Redemption
was produced mt the BIRMINGHAM Musical FESTIVAL esmva,
IN 1850 In 1856 his "Mors IT Vita was brought
out in Albert Hall. In London.