Saint Saëns

Saint Saëns, CHARLES CAMILLE, an eminent French musician, was born in Paris, October 9, 1835. At the age, it is said, of two and a half years he was taught the pianoforte by his great-aunt, and at seven he had further instruction from Stamaty, and subsequently learned harmony under Maleden. In 1847 he studied the organ under Benoist. At the age of sixteen he wrote his first symphony, which was performed with success, and was followed by numerous other instrumental works. He became organist, first of the church of St Méry, and in 1858 of the Madeleine, where he continued till 1877. His first opera, La Princesse Jaune, was given in 1872, and Le Tintre d'Argent in 1877; but neither was successful. Samson et Dalila, a sacred drama, was produced at Weimar, also in 1877, and was subsequently successfully revived at Ronen. More important operas are Henri VIII., brought out in 1883 at the Grand Opéra with success, not however extending to its subsequent revivals; Proserpine, given in 1887, but received with disapprobation; and Ascanio, produced at the Grand Opéra, March 21, 1890, and well received, though not with unmixed praise. He is one of the greatest living executants on the pianoforte and organ, and has remarkable powers of improvisation. He has appeared as a performer in various countries, and several times in England. His reputation as a composer is high, but he holds a somewhat peculiar position in his own country, where the great criterion of ability is the opera, in which he has not attained the highest rank; while many of his instrumental works, which include three symphonies, four symphonic poems (in which he follows the lead of Liszt), two orchestral suites, several concertos for piano and orchestra, and violin and orchestra, and, above all, a considerable quantity of chamber music, show the most consummate mastery, if not genius. The faults laid at his door are inequality, incongruity, and occasional eccentricity. He is a distinguished musical critic; and his selected papers, Harmonie et Mélodie (1885), show a lucid style and temperate judgment.