Auber

Auber, DANIEL FRANÇOIS ESPRIT, a composer of operas, was born at Caen in Normandy, January 29, 1782. His father, who was a printseller in Paris, sent him to London to acquire a knowledge of business. But his irresistible passion for music obtained the upper-hand, and after a short stay he returned to Paris. Among his earliest compositions may be noticed his very successful concertos for the violoncello, the concerto for the violin, and the comic opera, Julic. Aspiring to greater things, he now devoted himself to a deeper study of music under Cherubini, and wrote a mass for four voices. His next work, the opera Le Séjour Militaire (1813), was coldly received; but the death of his father compelled him to be dependent on his profession. In 1819 appeared Le Testament et les Billets-doux, which was also unsuccessful; but in La Bergère Châtelaine (1820) he laid the foundation of his subsequent fame. In all these early essays he displayed a style of his own; and though afterwards he was profoundly influenced by Rossini, his work has always a distinctive character. In 1822 he became associated with Scribe, who provided him subsequently with librettos admirably adapted to his music. Most of Auber's operas correspond to Scribe's comedies of Parisian life. Instead of deep natural feelings, they reflect elegant and brilliant French manners and conversation; the music is melodious, graceful, entertaining, but for the most part deficient in depth of thought and feeling. By far the most important and successful of his operas is La Muette de Portici, usually known as Masaniello (1828); of the lighter works, Fra Diavolo (1829) is the best known. Of his forty operas the next most notable are Le Domino Noir (1837); Les Diamants de la Couronne (1841), Haydée (1847), La Fiancée du Roi de Garbe (1864), and Rêves d'Amour (1869). He composed a work for the London Exhibition of 1862. He was a member of the Institute, director of the Conservatory of Music, and commander of the Legion of Honour. He died at Paris, May 13, 1871.