Adolphe Adam(1803-1856)
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Adolphe Charles Adam was born on July 24, 1803 in Paris, France. His
father was Jean Louis Adam, the acclaimed concert pianist and professor
of piano at the Paris Conservatory. Adolph Adam enrolled in the Paris
Conservatory against his father's will in 1817. There he studied piano,
and from 1821 also studied composition under Francois Boieldieu.
Adam is credited for developing a genre of the 'opera-comique', a
French opera with extended recitative, a spoken dialog, not necessarily
comic. The development of such a genre was welcomed by many
professional actors, who did not possess opera-quality voices. Among
his important operas are "Pierre et Catherine" (1829), "Danilowa"
(1830), "Le Chalet" (1834), "Le Brasseur de preston" (1838), "Regine,
ou Les Deux Nuits" (1839), "Le Rose de Peronne" (1841), "Lambert
Simnel" (1843). "Richard en Palestine" (1844), "Cagliastro" (1844), "Le
Toreador, ou L'Accord parfait" (1849), "La Paupee de Nuremberg" (1852),
"Le Roi des Halles" (1853), 'La Muleter de Tolede" (1854), and
"Falstaff" (1856), among many of his other operas.
Adolphe Adam is best known for his classic ballets "Faust" (1832),
"Giselle" (1840), and "Le Corsaire" (1848). The most popular of his
ballets "Giselle" was written on the plot by 'Theophile Gautier' and the libretto
by Saint-Georges. During the turbulent times in the 19th century France
this exquisite ballet had less publicity than it deserved and
completely passed out of the European repertory. "Giselle" was revived
by Sergei Diaghilev in 1910. It became the hit of the season thanks to the
lavishly opulent production with the stage design by Alexandre Benois and
choreography by Mikhail Fokin for "Seasons Russes" in Paris. Since it's
revival by Sergei Diaghilev Giselle was performed by Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina'
, Galina Ulanova, Alicia Markova, Margot Fonteyn and Natalia Makarova. The role of Gizelle is one
of the most sought-after roles in ballet.
Adam was elected the Member of Institute. After the death of his
father, Adam was made the professor of composition ar the Paris
Conservatory in 1848. He was the most important force behind the
attempt of establishing a National Theatre in Paris. His effort was
motivated by his idea of a venue for young composers and actors, where
they could show their works to the public. During the turbulent times
after the revolution of 1848 he funded the National Theatre himself.
After a few seasons of financial struggles the National Theatre was
closed leaving Adam in serious debt. Adam died on May 3, 1856 in Paris.
His Christmas song "Cantique de Noel" (O, Holy Night), composed in
1850, became one of the most performed and recorded piece of
music.
father was Jean Louis Adam, the acclaimed concert pianist and professor
of piano at the Paris Conservatory. Adolph Adam enrolled in the Paris
Conservatory against his father's will in 1817. There he studied piano,
and from 1821 also studied composition under Francois Boieldieu.
Adam is credited for developing a genre of the 'opera-comique', a
French opera with extended recitative, a spoken dialog, not necessarily
comic. The development of such a genre was welcomed by many
professional actors, who did not possess opera-quality voices. Among
his important operas are "Pierre et Catherine" (1829), "Danilowa"
(1830), "Le Chalet" (1834), "Le Brasseur de preston" (1838), "Regine,
ou Les Deux Nuits" (1839), "Le Rose de Peronne" (1841), "Lambert
Simnel" (1843). "Richard en Palestine" (1844), "Cagliastro" (1844), "Le
Toreador, ou L'Accord parfait" (1849), "La Paupee de Nuremberg" (1852),
"Le Roi des Halles" (1853), 'La Muleter de Tolede" (1854), and
"Falstaff" (1856), among many of his other operas.
Adolphe Adam is best known for his classic ballets "Faust" (1832),
"Giselle" (1840), and "Le Corsaire" (1848). The most popular of his
ballets "Giselle" was written on the plot by 'Theophile Gautier' and the libretto
by Saint-Georges. During the turbulent times in the 19th century France
this exquisite ballet had less publicity than it deserved and
completely passed out of the European repertory. "Giselle" was revived
by Sergei Diaghilev in 1910. It became the hit of the season thanks to the
lavishly opulent production with the stage design by Alexandre Benois and
choreography by Mikhail Fokin for "Seasons Russes" in Paris. Since it's
revival by Sergei Diaghilev Giselle was performed by Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina'
, Galina Ulanova, Alicia Markova, Margot Fonteyn and Natalia Makarova. The role of Gizelle is one
of the most sought-after roles in ballet.
Adam was elected the Member of Institute. After the death of his
father, Adam was made the professor of composition ar the Paris
Conservatory in 1848. He was the most important force behind the
attempt of establishing a National Theatre in Paris. His effort was
motivated by his idea of a venue for young composers and actors, where
they could show their works to the public. During the turbulent times
after the revolution of 1848 he funded the National Theatre himself.
After a few seasons of financial struggles the National Theatre was
closed leaving Adam in serious debt. Adam died on May 3, 1856 in Paris.
His Christmas song "Cantique de Noel" (O, Holy Night), composed in
1850, became one of the most performed and recorded piece of
music.