Georges Bizet

Georges Bizet (Alexandre César Léopold) was born in Paris, Oct. 25, 1838, died there, June 3 1975. He entered 8n 1848 the Conservatoire, where he studied composition under Halévy, and won the prix de Rome in 1857. Before graduating he had broguth out an operetta, Docteur Miracle, at the Bouffes Parisiens. On his return from Italy he composed and produced several opéras-comiques, whiche had but indifferent success. His overture, Patrie, and especially his interludes to Daudet's L'Arlésienne (afterwards published as two orchestral suits) were far better received. The corner-stone of his fame, however, was the Opera Carmen, which at once placed him in the foremost rank of modern French composer. This, and the suites L'Arlésienne and Roma, are his best-known works. He was a man of superior gifts, and of decidedly greater originality than other French composer of his generation. He was an accomplished pianist, especially noted for his wonderful sight-reading of orchestral scores. He married a daughter of Halévy. great hopes were entertained of his future, and his sudden death was universally lamented.

Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians by John Denison Camplin, Jr. and William Foster Apthorp (Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1888)