A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Delibes, Léo

by Adolphe Jullien

DELIBES, Clément Philibert Léo, born at St. Germain du Val (Sarthe), on Feb. 21,^[1] 1836, came to Paris in 1848, and was admitted into the Solfège class at the Conservatoire, and at the same time sang in the choirs of the Madeleine and other churches. Having obtained a first prize for solfège in 1850, he studied pianoforte, organ, harmony, and advanced composition under Le Couppey, Benoist, Bazin, and Adolphe Adam respectively. Through the influence of the last-named, he became accompanyist at the Théâtre Lyrique in 1853, and also organist in the church of St. Pierre de Chaillot, and elsewhere, before his final appointment at St. Jean St. François, which he held from 1862 to 1871. He devoted himself from an early period to dramatic composition, and wrote several short comic operas for the Théâtre Lyrique—'Maître Griffard' (1857), 'Le Jardinier et son Seigneur' (1863); and a number of operettas for the Folies Nouvelles, the Bouffes Parisiens,and the Variétés, of which some were very successful—'Deux vieilles Gardes' (1856), 'L'Omelette à la Follembûche' (1859), 'Le Serpent à plumes' (1864), 'L'Écossais de Chatou' (1869), etc. He also wrote a number of choruses for male voices, a mass and some choruses for the school children of St. Denis and Sceaux, where he was inspector. In 1863 Delibes became accompanyist at the Opera, and soon afterwards second chorus master (under Victor Massé): he kept this appointment until 1872, when he gave it up on the occasion of his marriage with the daughter of Mlle. Denain, a former actress at the Comédie Française. By his appointment at the Opera a new career was opened out to him. Having been commissioned to compose the ballet of 'La Source' (Nov. 12, 1866) in collaboration with the Russian musician Minkous, he displayed such a wealth of melody as a composer of ballet music, and so completely eclipsed the composer with whom he had as a favour been associated, that he was at once asked to write a divertissement called 'Le Pas de Fleurs' to be introduced into the ballet of his old master, Adolphe Adam, 'Le Corsaire,' for its revival (Oct. 21, 1867). He was finally entrusted with the setting of an entire ballet, on the pretty comedy 'Coppélia' (May 25, 1870), which is rightly considered his most charming production, and which has gained for him a full recognition. He did not wish however to confine himself to the composition of ballets; in 1872 he published a collection of charming melodies, 'Myrto,' 'Les Filles de Cadiz,' 'Bonjour Suzon,' etc., and on May 24, 1873, he produced at the Opéra-Comique a work in three acts, 'Le Roi l'a dit,' which in spite of the charm and grace of the first act has not had a lasting success, in Paris at least, though it has met with considerable favour in Germany. After this Delibes returned to the Opera, where he produced a grand mythological ballet, 'Sylvia,' (June 14, 1876), which confirmed his superiority in dance music. In spite of this fresh success Delibes was still anxious to write a serious vocal work, and produced a grand scena, 'La Mort d'Orphée,' at the Trocadéro Concerts in 1878. He then composed two dramatic works for the Opéra Comique, 'Jean de Nivelle ' (March 8, 1880) and 'Lakmé' (April 14, 1883). His ambition is certainly laudable, but though his musical ability secures him a partial success, these more serious works have not such lasting charm as his lighter productions. In spite of this reservation, Delibes is nevertheless one of the most meritorious composers of the modern French school. In addition to the above works he has composed incidental music for 'Le Roi s'amuse,' on its revival at the Comédie Française, Nov. 22, 1882, and has published several songs, almost all intended for representations at the last-named theatre. Among them are 'Ruy Blas,' 'A quoi rêvent les jeunes filles,' and 'Barberine.' In 1877 Delibes was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour; in Jan. 1881 he succeeded Reber, who had just died, as professor of advanced composition at the Conservatoire; and in Dec. 1884 he was elected a member of the Institut in the place of Victor Massé. (Died 1891.)

[ A. J. ]

1. Date verified by register of birth.