Henri Montan Berton

Henri Montan Berton ( born September 17, 1767 in Paris, † April 22, 1844 ) was a French composer.

Life and work

Berton's father, Pierre Montan Berton, was also a composer and director at the Paris Opera. The most important teachers of Henri Montan Berton were Jean -Baptiste Rey and later Antonio Sacchini.

Berton tried during the revolutionary period in the newly arisen genre of the dramatic rescue and relief opera. In 1795 he became professor at the Paris Conservatory where she taught harmony. In 1807 he became conductor at the Komische Oper. Two years later, Berton led the choir at the Paris Opera. In 1817 he returned to the Conservatory and now also taught composition teaching.

Berton's compositions include 48 operas, ballets, 4, 5 oratorios, cantatas, masses and instrumental works. His 1823 Virginie performed opera is one of the highlights of his career. The stage works of the composer regarded as precursors of romanticism.