Alfred Cellier

Alfred Cellier ( born December 1, 1844 in London, † December 28, 1891 in London ) was an English organist, conductor and composer.

Cellier composed over a dozen operas and other stage and orchestral works, of which his comic opera Dorothy was best known. He conducted the premieres of numerous operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and was also active in many other theaters in London, New York and on tour in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia as a conductor.

Alfred Cellier was born as the son of the French teacher Arsène Cellier. From 1855 to 1860 he was a chorister at the Chapel Royal; to his schoolmates counted Arthur Sullivan. Celliers professional career began with organist at All Saints Church, Blackheath, London and Belfast; where he was also head of the Belfast Philharmonic Society. In 1868 he returned to London, where he was organist at St Alban's, Holborn. Cellier aspired to a career as an opera composer and began the composition of comic operas and operettas. In 1871 he became musical director of the Court Theatre and then at the Prince 's Theatre in Manchester. In 1877 he became musical director Richard D' Oyly Cartes of Opera Company, for which he has conducted numerous performances.

Cellier died in 1891 at his home in Bloomsbury, London. His grave is located on the West Norwood Cemetery.