Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

June 2, 1830 in Paris, France

Death

:

October 22, 1889 in Paris, France

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Olivier Métra was a French composer and conductor who lived from 1830 to 1889. He was born in Marseille, France, on August 11, 1830, to a family of musicians. His father, Jean-Baptiste Métra, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Marie-Anne Métra, was a singer. Olivier Métra showed an early interest in music and began studying the piano and violin at a young age. Métra's musical education began at the Marseille Conservatory, where he studied under the composer and conductor Joseph Daussoigne-Méhul. He later continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied composition with François Bazin and conducting with François Habeneck. Métra was a talented student and won several prizes during his time at the conservatory. After completing his studies, Métra began his career as a conductor. He worked at several opera houses in France, including the Théâtre Lyrique and the Opéra-Comique. He also conducted concerts with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra and the Lamoureux Orchestra. Métra was a prolific composer and wrote music in a variety of genres, including opera, ballet, and orchestral works. His most famous opera is La Navarraise, which premiered at the Opéra-Comique in 1894. The opera tells the story of a young woman from Navarre who joins a group of soldiers to fight for her country's independence. The opera was well-received and remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire. Métra also wrote several ballets, including Les Noces de Thétis et de Pelée, which premiered at the Paris Opera in 1867. The ballet tells the story of the wedding of Thetis and Peleus, and features music that is both lyrical and dramatic. In addition to his operas and ballets, Métra wrote several orchestral works, including his Symphony No. 1 in C minor, which premiered in 1868. The symphony is a dramatic work that showcases Métra's skill as a composer and conductor. Métra was known for his innovative approach to conducting, and he was one of the first conductors to use a baton. He was also known for his attention to detail and his ability to bring out the best in his musicians. His conducting style was characterized by its energy and passion, and he was known for his ability to communicate his love of music to his audiences. Métra's career was cut short by his untimely death in 1889. He died of a heart attack while conducting a performance of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde at the Paris Opera. He was only 59 years old at the time of his death. Despite his short career, Olivier Métra left a lasting legacy in the world of classical music. His innovative approach to conducting and his skill as a composer have inspired generations of musicians and continue to be celebrated today. His music remains popular with audiences around the world, and his contributions to the world of classical music will not be forgotten.

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