A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Guiraud, Ernest

by George Grove

GUIRAUD, Ernest, son of a French musician, was born at New Orleans, June 23, 1837, brought up amongst music, and saw his first opera 'Roi David' on the stage when only 15. He then came to Europe and entered the Conservatoire, where he obtained various distinctions, ending, as his father had done before him, with the Grand Prix de Rome in 1859. His first appearance before the public was made with a one-act opera, 'Sylvie,' which he wrote while in Rome, and which was brought out at the Opéra Comique May 11, 1864. This was followed after a long interval by 'En Prison,' also in one act (Theatre Lyrique, March 5, 1869), and 'Le Kobold' (July 2, 1870). M. Guiraud served during the war, and was in the engagements of Champigny and Montretout. His other operas have been Madame Turlupin (1873), Piccolino (1876), Gretna Green, a ballet (1873). He has also composed two Suites for Orchestra, the second of which was performed at the Concerts populaires, January 28, 1872. In November 1876 M. Guiraud was chosen professor of harmony and accompaniment at the Conservatoire, in room of Baptiste, deceased.

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[App. p.661 "GUIRAUD, Ernest, has taken a more prominent place in France since the notice of him in vol. i. was written. In July 1878 he was decorated with the Legion of Honour, and in 1880 he was appointed professor of advanced composition at the Conservatoire, replacing Victor Massé, elected honorary professor. In 1879 his 'Piccolino' was given by Carl Rosa at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. A new opera in three acts, entitled 'Galante Aventure,' failed at the Opéra Comique (March 23, 1882); but he has always retained an honourable position in concerts, where he has produced selections from an unpublished opera, 'Le Feu' (Concerts du Châtelet, March 9, 1879, and Nov. 7, 1880), an overture, 'Arteveld' (do. Jan. 15, 1882), a caprice for violin and orchestra, played by Sarasate (do. April 6, 1884), an orchestral suite in four movements (do. Dec. 27, 1885), and lastly a 'Chasse Fantastique,' suggested by a passage in Victor Hugo's 'Beau Pécopin' (Concerts Lamoureux, Feb. 6, 1887). All these works are worth hearing, and are cleverly written for a composer who, though thoroughly familiar with his materials, yet lacks inventive genius, and who as a professor shows an eclecticism and a judicious moderation worthy of all commendation. In art genius is not given to every one, and those who have only talent are to be praised for not prosecuting virulent attacks upon innovators more richly gifted than themselves."]

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