Edmond Audran French composer Date of Birth: 12.04.1840 Country: France

1. Biography of Edmond Audran
2. Success in Paris and the West End
3. Additional Works
4. Early Life and Career
5. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Edmond Audran

Edmond Audran was a French composer, best known for his numerous successful operettas that were highly popular on the international stage. Some of his most well-known works include "Le grand mogol" (1867), "Les noces d'Olivette" (1879), "La mascotte" (1880), "Gillette de Narbonne" (1882), "La cigale et la fourmi" (1886), "La miette" (1887), "Miss Helyett" (1890), "L'oncle Celestin" (1891), "Madame Suzette" (1893), "La poupee" (1896), and many others.

Success in Paris and the West End

After achieving initial success in Paris, Audran's works were regularly performed in London's West End, with adaptations overseen by the composer himself. While most of his works have been forgotten in modern times, "La mascotte" continues to be revived occasionally and exists in phonograph recordings.

Additional Works

In addition to his lively, playful, and sometimes satirical operettas, Audran also composed several comic operas and the oratorio "La Sulamite" (1876). He also composed a funeral march dedicated to the memory of composer Giacomo Meyerbeer.

Early Life and Career

Edmond Audran was born on April 12, 1840, in Lyon, France. His father, Marius-Pierre Audran (1816–1887), was a tenor who had a successful career at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. Edmond studied music at the Louis Niedermeyer School under the guidance of Jules-Laurent Duprato. In 1859, he won a prize for his compositional achievements.

In 1861, Audran's family moved to Marseille, where his father accepted a position as a vocal teacher and later became the director of the conservatory. Edmond himself became an organist at the Church of Saint-Joseph in Marseille, for which he also composed religious music, including a mass in 1873 that was later performed at the Church of Saint-Eustache in Paris.

During his time in Marseille, Audran first showcased his talent as a dramatic composer with the operetta "L'Ours et le Pacha" (1862), a musical version of one of Eugène Scribe's vaudevilles. This was followed by the comic opera "La chercheuse d'esprit" in 1864.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1879, Audran moved to Paris, initially residing in a modest attic apartment. However, his operettas soon brought him significant commercial success. His works quickly made their way to London, albeit in English translations, and musical critics from both countries predicted a brilliant and enduring career for Audran.

Unfortunately, in his later years, Audran suffered from mental and physical illnesses, which led to his withdrawal from Parisian society. He passed away on August 17, 1901, in Tierceville, a small commune on the northern coast of France, at the age of 61.