Front:
Scene from "Samson and Delilah"
CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS
awardad to euth alen
,1945m met
REWARD CARD march
55
T.PRESSER CO., Phila.
Back:
Born October 9, 1835
Died December 16, 1921.
Camille Saint-Saëns
THIS able and versatile French musician and com-
poser, a veritable wonder-child, was born in Paris.
His great-aunt, Charlotte Masson, began teaching
him at two and a half years, and to good purpose. At
five years he could play a Grétry opera from score;
at seven he started private lessons with Stamaty. He
made his début in 1846; and in 1848 he entered the
Conservatoire, therein to study composi tion with
Halévy. Meanwhile, he studied the organ, succeeding
the popular Lefébure-Wély at the Church of the
Madeleine (a very high musical post). He resigned in
1877, thereafter leading a very busy life composing,
playing, and directing.
Saint-Saëns was a remarkable pianist; his famous
Piano Concerto in G minor sounds as fresh and sparkling
nowadays as it ever did. In other fields he was equally
great.
opera, Henry VIII, was a skillful blending of old and
new styles; but his most popular opera, Samson and
Delilah, was intended originally as an oratorio. And
his orchestral writings: who does not know his quaint
and characteristic Danse Macabre; and, of his lighter
numbers, the Swan?
Saint-Saëns lived to see the decline of the Meyerbeer
period, and the rise of Gounod and himself. But, best
His Christmas Oratorio is much admired; his
beloved by all those who knew him.
From "Requiem, Op. 54"
C. Jant
Published by THEODORE PRESSER CO., Philadel phi a Pa
