Much of Gounod's music from this time is vocal or choral in nature. The critic withdrew his statement.įrom 1870 to 1874 Gounod lived in England, becoming the first conductor of what is now the Royal Choral Society. Many critics believed it was a great advancement over Gounod's previous works, but one critic went so far as to state his doubt that Gounod composed it, which prompted Gounod to challenge the critic to a duel. There was a minor controversy surrounding Faust. The charming and highly individual Mireille of 1864 is admired by connoisseurs. The romantic and highly melodious Roméo et Juliette (based on the Shakespeare play), premiered in 1867, is also performed and recorded regularly. Gounod wrote his first opera, Sapho, in 1851, but had no great success until Faust (1859), based on the play by Goethe. Martin in the Fields for Philips Records. Recordings of the symphonies include those by Michel Plasson conducting the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse and Sir Neville Marriner with the Academy of St. Despite their charm and brilliance, Gounod's symphonies are seldom performed. 1 in D major was the inspiration for the Symphony in C, composed later that same year by Georges Bizet, who was then Gounod's 17 year old student. Two parts of this work were first performed in London during 1851 and began his reputation as a noteworthy composer. In february 1848, Gounod returned to civil life and began the composition of a 'Messe Solennelle', also known as the 'Saint Cecilia Mass'. Around 1846-47 Gounod began studying for the priesthood but changed his mind and went back to composition. He concentrated on religious music of the sixteenth century. He subsequently went to Italy where he studied the music of Pa lestrina. In 1839, he won the Prix de Rome for his cantata Fernand. He entered the Paris Conservatoire where he studied under Fromental Halévy. Under her tutelage, Gounod first showed his musical talents. Gounod was born in Paris, the son of a pianist mother and a draftsman father. Charles-François Gounod (IPA: 17 June 1818 ? 18 October 1893) was a French composer, best known for his Ave Maria as well as his operas Faust and Roméo et Juliette.

Agnus dei midi