Boieldieu, ADRIEN FRANÇOIS

Boieldieu, ADRIEN FRANÇOIS, an eminent French composer, was born at Rouen in 1775. His talent for music was early developed. At the age of eighteen he brought out a one-act opera in his native town, and two years afterwards he repaired to Paris, where he produced many successful compositions. When the Conservatoire de Musique was established, Boieldieu was elected a professor. The Caliphe de Bagdad (1799) was his first brilliant success. His unhappy marriage with the celebrated dancer, Clotilde Mafleuroy, induced him to accept an invitation to St Petersburg, where from 1803 to 1810 he filled the post of imperial maître de chapelle, wrote the music to Racine's Athalie, and produced several operas. Returning to Paris, he brought out Jean de Paris (1812), La Dame Blanche (1825), his masterpiece, and other popular works. His strength lies in bright and graceful melody, light but tasteful instrumentation, and pure harmony. He has been called 'the French Mozart.' He was elected an academician in 1817, and on his death, 8th October 1834, the nation honoured him with a public funeral. His native city claimed his heart, and in 1875 erected a monument to him. The government further marked its sense of his merit by granting a pension to his son Adrien (1816-83), who himself composed several operas. See Pougin, Boieldieu, sa Vie, ses Œuvres (1875).