A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Semet, Théophile
SEMET, Théophile, born at Lille, Sept. 6, 1824. The prizes for the cello and harmony which he gained at the local Conservatoire procured him a grant from the municipality to study in Paris, and he entered Halévy's class for composition, but left without obtaining a prize, in order to take to teaching. He was, however, a thorough artist, and his vein of original melody and refined harmony soon made him known. His first work was merely a few songs and some charming orchestral music for 'La petite Fadette,' vaudeville in 2 acts (Variétés, Dec. 28, 1850), but he at length procured, through his fellow-pupil Carvalho, a better opportunity, and his 'Nuits d'Espagne,' 2 acts (May 26), and 'La Demoiselle d'honneur,' 3 acts (Dec. 30), were both produced in 1857 with success at the Théâtre Lyrique; 'Gil Blas' (March 26, 1860), an opéra-comique in 5 acts, and 'Ondine,' 3 acts (Jan. 7, 1863)—the former his most popular piece—followed at the same theatre, but his next work, 'La petite Fadette' (Sept. 11, 1869), libretto by Carré (he was evidently a great admirer of Georges Sand), was produced at the Opéra Comique. In this work—revived at Lille, April 1881, with enthusiastic applause—there is much colour and expression, and great charm, indeed all Semet's works contain real gems of melody and harmony. Their drawback is their difficulty.
Besides his operas he composed songs for a piece called 'Constantinople' (1854); melodies; a cantata (performed at the Opéra, Aug. 15, 1862); airs de ballet for 'Les Pirates de la Savane' (1867), and many part-songs, some of which, especially 'La Danse des Sylphes,' are remarkable.
M. Semet, who has for many years played the drums at the Opéra, has brought out no new work since 1870. In common with many other composers he is looking forward to the revival of a third Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, and in the meantime lives in retirement at Créteil.[ G. C. ]