Through these classes, Bizet met Zimmerman's son-in-law, the composer Charles Gounod, who became a lasting influence on the young pupil's musical style—although their relationship was often strained in later years.
A través destas clases Bizet coñeceu o xenro de Zimmermann, o compositor Charles Gounod, que se converteu nunha influencia duradeira no estilo musical do novo pupilo —aínda que a súa relación frecuentemente se tornou tensa nos últimos anos.