Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

January 29, 1782 in Caen, Normandy, France

Death

:

May 13, 1871 in Paris, France

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Daniel-François-Esprit Auber was a French composer of the Romantic era, known for his operas and ballets. He was born on January 29, 1782, in Caen, Normandy, France, to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged their son's musical talents from a young age. Auber began his musical education at the age of five, studying the violin with his father. He later studied composition with Luigi Cherubini, a prominent Italian composer who had settled in Paris. Auber's early works were influenced by Cherubini's classical style, but he soon developed his own unique voice. In 1805, Auber's first opera, "Le Séjour militaire," was performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The opera was a success, and Auber went on to compose many more operas for the Opéra-Comique and other theaters in Paris. His most famous works include "La Muette de Portici" (1828), "Fra Diavolo" (1830), and "Le Domino noir" (1837). "La Muette de Portici," also known as "Masaniello," is perhaps Auber's most famous opera. It tells the story of a Neapolitan fisherman named Masaniello who leads a revolt against the Spanish rulers of Naples in the 17th century. The opera is notable for its patriotic themes and its use of a chorus of revolutionaries, which was a new and innovative technique at the time. "Fra Diavolo" is another of Auber's most popular operas. It tells the story of a notorious bandit named Fra Diavolo who terrorizes travelers in Italy. The opera is known for its catchy tunes and lively rhythms, and it was a favorite of audiences in the 19th century. In addition to his operas, Auber also composed several ballets, including "La Fille mal gardée" (1828) and "Marco Spada" (1857). "La Fille mal gardée" is a lighthearted ballet about a young couple who fall in love despite the disapproval of the girl's mother. The ballet is known for its pastoral themes and its use of folk dances. Auber's music was popular not only in France but also in other parts of Europe and in the United States. His operas were performed in Italian and German translations, and his music was often used in ballets and other theatrical productions. He was also a member of the French Academy of Fine Arts and was awarded the Legion of Honor in 1825. Auber continued to compose music throughout his life, even after he became deaf in his later years. He died on May 12, 1871, in Paris, at the age of 89. His legacy as a composer of light and lively operas and ballets has endured to this day, and his music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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