François Benoist

François Benoist ( born September 10, 1794 in Nantes, † May 6, 1878 in Paris) was a French organist, organ teacher and composer.

Life

François Benoist studied from 1811 at the Paris Conservatoire with Charles Simon Catel - Louis and Adam. In 1815 he received the Prix de Rome for the cantata Oenone. After a stay in Italy he worked from 1819 as the first Royal court organist and organ teacher at the Conservatoire. His most prominent students were César Franck, Camille Saint- Saëns, Charles Lecocq, Louis Lefébure - Wely and Adolphe Adam. Since 1840 he was also Director of Studies (premier chef de chant ) at the Paris Opera.

Benoist composed among others, two operas and ballets, a Mass with organ and numerous pieces for the organ.

Works (selection)

• Léonore et Félix, opéra comique, 1821
• Choeur d' adieu, 1836
• La Gipsy, Ballet, 1839
• Le Diable amoureux, Ballet, 1840
• Bibliothèque de l' organiste, 12 volumes, 1841-1861
• Messe de Requiem pour trois voix d' homme et une d' enfant, avec orgue d' accompagnement ad libitum, 1842.
• Othello, opera, 1844
• L' Apparition, opera, 1848
• Nisida ou les Amazones of Açores, Ballet, 1848
• Pâquerette, ballet by Arthur Saint- Léon, 1851
• Deux Préludes, 1860
• Recueil de quatre morceaux pour orgue: Andante, Fugue sur le Pange lingua, Marche religieuse, Communion, 1861
• Mass à 4 voix, orgue et orchester, 1861
• Ave Maria pour mezzo - soprano
• Kyrie à 4 voix
• O à une voix Salutaris,
• Cantique à la Sainte Vierge