A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Saint-Georges, Jules
SAINT-GEORGES, Jules Henri Vernoy, Marquis de,—not to be confounded with the notorious Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745–1799 or 1801)—born in Paris 1801, died there 1875 [App. p.778 "Dec. 23"], writer of novels, and author of numerous librettos for operas and operas-comiques, was the favourite collaborateur of Halévy. Among his 120 librettos we need only specify those for Donizetti's 'Fille du Regiment'; Adolphe Adam's 'La Marquise,' 'Cagliostro,' 'Le Bijou perdu,' operas; and 'Giselle,' 'La jolie Fille de Gand,' and 'Le Corsaire,' ballets; Auber's 'L'Ambassadrice,' 'Zanetta,' and 'Les Diamants de la Couronne,' with Scribe; Grisar's 'Lady Melvil,' 'Le Carillonneur de Bruges,' and 'Les Amours du Diable'; Clapisson's 'La Fanchonnette'; and Halévy's 'L'Eclair,' 'Les Mousquetaires de la Reine,' 'Le Val d'Andorre,' 'La Fée aux Roses,' 'Le Juif errant,' 'Le Nabab,' and 'Jaguarita l'Indienne.'
From this list it will appear that Saint-Georges was the most prolific, as he was the ablest, of all French contemporary librettists after Scribe. No one has yet appeared competent to supply the place of either of these clever writers.[ G. C. ]