A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Blanchard, Henri

by Mary Catherine Hamilton

BLANCHARD, Henri Louis, born at Bourdeaux 1778, died in Paris 1858, studied the violin under Rodolphe Kreutzer, and composition under Beck, Méhul, and Reicha. From 1818 to 1829 he was musical director at the Variétés, and composed a number of vaudeville airs which attained popularity, and also trios and quartets for strings. These more solid works exhibit considerable talent. In 1830 he became director of the Théâtre Molière, where two of his plays were produced. A third had a great run at the Théâtre Français in 1831. His opera of Diane de Vernon was produced at the Nouveautés on April 4 in the same year. As a musical critic Blanchard was able and impartial. He contributed articles to 'L'Europe littéraire et musicale' (1833). 'Le Foyer,' 'Le Monde Dramatique,' and 'La Revue et Gazette.' His biographies of Beck, Berton, Cherubini, Garat, and others, which originally appeared in these journals, have been published separately.

[ M. C. C. ]