New-York tribune., 1912-08-14
French Composer Dies Sudden
Iy-Suffered from Cancer.
WAS SEVENTY YEARS OLD
Wrote the Music of That's
La Navarraise" and lie
Jongleur de Notre Dame"

Massenet was an untiring worker. and
| leaves as q monument of his industry
more than twenty operas. besides scores
OF lyrics and sacred songs and instru-
mental pieces. His popularity was not
| confined to European capitals, for several
| of his works were produced in this coun
| try with marked success. Most prominent
among these was the lyric comedy
"Thais." in which Mary Garden and
Maurice Renaud sang the principal roles.
| The composer was man Of medium
height. but whose slightly STOPPING shoul
ders made him appear short His cour-
| tesy and kindness won him a host of
| friends and despite the objections Of
| his publisher. NJ. Hartmann, he insisted
on meeting and talking with all who
called upon him. His method of compos-
! ing was described by Imbert, who gives
| these details
| After having mentally arranged the
main outlines, he begins by making a
lead pencil sketch. which he copies In Ink
almost without a change and from this
sketch. which somewhat resembles an
arrangement for piano, he makes the
: orchestral score. His dexterity equals
that of the composer of the 'Danse Ma
cabre,' who also, like Massenet, COM
| poses without the aid OF a piano. There
| is never rough orchestral draft, so to
| speak, Of the score: not that he never
| goes over again what he has written,
| but. on the whole. there are few correc-
tons. The minutest shades, tho move
\ ments OF the bow, even. arc marked with
scrupuous care. But the composer Is
so sure of what he does that he sends
the orchestral score to the printer before
it has been played, and It is this score
that the conductor uses
Adn,irer Of the Fair Sex.
Massenet was always a great admirer
OF the fair sex, and woman and love form
the themes OF most OF his operas. In
| fact, he wrote some of his operas for
prime dome whom he specially admired
! He composed La Navarraise' and
"Sapho" for Emma Calve and "Esclar-
monde" "Phryne" and "ThaIs" for Sybil
sanderson. When "Esclarmonde" was
ready for it's first performance Massenet
wrote the following letter to Miss San
derson;
you show that | was right. since Il is
| for you that | have written 'Esclar-
monde had faith. and you proved at
the public rehearsal to-day Saturday
] Nav II. 1881 that have confded my role.
unique in it's difficulties Of all sorts. TO- a
unique artist. You are making your dc
| but. but I predict for you future also
unique. Later on. when speaking Of the
atrical glory. people will name Sander
SON"
! The composer was born at Montaud on
| Nav l2, 1872 and was the son OF an cN-
officer OF engineers who directed metal
lurgical establishment at Montaud. Masse-
net. in referring TO his birth, once said:
ITO the sound OF heavy hammers OF
brass. as the ancient poet says. ] was
born" IT was the workmen employed by
his father who first predicted a brilliant
career in the musical world for young
Massenct He had already received few
piano lessons from his mother when the
family was Obliged TO move to Paris be-
cause OF the elder Massenets ill-health.
Finally the boy passed the examination
admitting him to the Conservatore, MS
MIA wing Of the finale OF Beethovens opus
10 at the test being specially commenced.
IIo tbcn was instructed by Adolphe Lau-
ront AZ the piano and by Savard In
solfege
Mothers Instinct Wrong.
Massenet remained two years at the
Conseryatore. and then was recalled d!
his mother TO Montsud, where the family
was again living. She explained her ac-
,Ion by SAYING she did not believe her son
had showed sufficient talent TO make ihr-
thor musical study worth while. THIS was
| a great disappointment TO Massenet' hut
he eyentuaIly succeeded In getting ms
rorents' consent 10 return 10 thu Conser-
vatoire.
Massenet's first real chance TO prove MS
ability as a musician came III 1867 "heh
no entered the contest for the Grand fTlN
Il. Rome. At this examination the candi
datos were locked In small rooms, IN
which each had TO write a cantata OF
other work Of similar dimensions which
IN the case of the successful contestant
WAS produced at the Opera. To the young
students delight his cantata DaVio
plzzio" carried off the laurels, and ne SET
OUT iNpih''
| To-. tu,o wears Massenet stayed in Rome,
.,bere he said in his autobiography. re
.h.gan to live" Continuing In this strain
he wrote. THE long hours OF solitude
nm the Roman Campagna and those spent
q, tho admirable museums Of Florence and
Venice amply compensate for the absence
~ musical meetings, Of orchestral con-
certs Of theatrical representatons-in
short, of music
Meeting with List.
In Rome Massenet met Liszt, who was
giving lessons to a few select pupils ou'
uho wished 10 devote his time TO religious
work He had become assured or Mas
senet's exceptional skill and asked him 70
take his place as teacher in the home o'
Nina Sainte- Marie Massenet accepted
and promptly fell in love with her daugh-
tor for whom the lessons were INTENDED
The musicians poverty however, delayed
Tho marriage until october. 1865. after he
had visited Germany and Austria-Hun-
cav IN accordance with the rules laid
down for the winner Of the Grand Prix
Nassenet continued 10 have hare
e,rupeIe to make both ends meet hnan'
cial,v He gave music lessons, and In
summer. when pupils were scarce ne
gave piano recitas at various watering
nlaces Incidentally he accepted the post
NJ kettle drummer at the Theatre de Ia
po,,a Saint Martin. An amusing story
| A., .aia ~ hta cXDerience as drummer