Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

March 24, 1817 in Montpellier, France

Death

:

May 26, 1871 in Moulins-sur-Allier

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

Aimé Maillart was a French composer of the Romantic era, known for his operas and ballets. He was born on August 8, 1817, in Montpellier, France, to a family of musicians. His father, Jean-Louis Maillart, was a composer and conductor, and his mother, Marie-Anne, was a singer. Aimé showed an early interest in music and began studying piano and composition at a young age. In 1835, Maillart moved to Paris to further his musical education. He studied at the Paris Conservatory under the tutelage of François-Joseph Fétis and Fromental Halévy. During this time, he also worked as a pianist and conductor at various theaters in Paris. Maillart's first major success came in 1841 with the premiere of his opera "Les Dragons de Villars" at the Opéra-Comique. The opera was a hit with audiences and critics alike, and it quickly became one of the most popular works in the French repertoire. Maillart's use of catchy melodies and lively dance rhythms made the opera a favorite of audiences throughout Europe. Over the next few years, Maillart continued to compose operas and ballets, including "La Chansonnette" (1843), "La Vivandière" (1844), and "Le Chevalier Jean" (1846). These works were well-received by audiences, and Maillart's reputation as a composer continued to grow. In 1851, Maillart was appointed as the director of the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris. During his tenure, he produced a number of successful operas, including "Les Dragons de Villars" and "La Vivandière." He also commissioned new works from other composers, including Georges Bizet's "Les pêcheurs de perles" and Charles Gounod's "Faust." Maillart's most famous work, "Les Dragons de Villars," was revived in 1867 at the Opéra-Comique. The opera was once again a huge success, and it cemented Maillart's place in the French operatic tradition. The opera tells the story of a young girl who falls in love with a soldier, only to discover that he is actually the son of the local lord. The opera is known for its catchy tunes and lively dance numbers, and it remains a popular work to this day. Maillart continued to compose throughout the 1860s and 1870s, but his output slowed down as he grew older. He died on May 26, 1871, in Moulins, France, at the age of 53. Maillart's music is characterized by its lively rhythms, catchy melodies, and colorful orchestration. His operas and ballets are known for their use of dance and spectacle, and they remain popular with audiences today. Despite his success during his lifetime, Maillart's music fell out of favor in the years following his death. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in his work, and his operas and ballets are once again being performed and recorded.

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