Léo Delibes

Léo Delibes [ də'lib ] Clément Philibert Léo Delibes or (* February 21, 1836 in Saint- Germain -du -Val (Sarthe ), † 16 January 1891 in Paris) was a French composer. With its catchy melody, rhythmic brilliance and sparkling colored orchestration, he was one of the most popular composers of the Romantic stage. He revived the art of ballet as since his compatriot Rameau no more, but also came out with some operas. In addition, he created sacred music and songs.

Life

The son of a postman and a musically talented mother studied since 1848 at the Paris Conservatory, among others, Adolphe Adam. Subsequently, he was organist at various churches and accompanist at the Théâtre Lyrique, in 1865 the second chorus master at the Paris Opera. His debut as a dramatic composer he had given in 1855 with the one-act operetta Deux sous de charbon.

1870 his ballet Coppélia (after ETA Hoffmann's tale The Sandman ) was premiered at the Paris Opera with triumphal success. In 1871 he married actress Estelle Léontine Denain. His position at the Opera, he gave up in 1872. In 1881 he became professor of composition teaching at the Paris Conservatory. On April 14, 1883 premiere of his opera Lakmé took place at the Opéra -Comique, the world's conquered the repertoire of opera houses later. In 1884 he was elected a member of the Académie des Beaux -Arts. After his death in 1891 he was buried in the Montmartre Cemetery in Paris.

Delibes influenced composers such as Tchaikovsky, Saint- Saëns and Debussy. On Delibes ballet Sylvia (1876 ) related, Tchaikovsky is said to have spoken in a letter of 7 December 1877 Sergei Taneyev from his infatuation with this " charming " music. If he only knew Sylvia, he added, he had not written Swan Lake.

In the town of Clichy La Garenne there since 2009 Conservatoire Léo Delibes a newly built, has been awarded prizes for the architect Bernard Desmoulins. Besides the emigrated to Spain brother of composer Michel was the grandfather of the writer Miguel Delibes.

Works (selection)

• La Source, Ballet, 1866 ( together with Léon Minkus, German and Naila, the Quellenfee )
• Coppélia ou La Fille aux yeux d' émail, Ballet, 1870
• Le roi l'a dit, Opéra Comique, 1873
• Sylvia ou La Nymphe de Diane, ballet, 1876
• Nivelle, Opéra Comique, 1880
• Lakmé, Opera Comique, 1883