The New Student's Reference Work/Saint-Saens, Charles Camille

Saint-Saens (săn′-sȧn′), Charles Camille, a distinguished French musician, was born in Paris in 1835.  He showed musical talent even as an infant; and at 16 wrote a symphony. For many years he was organist at the Madeleine Church in Paris.  His earlier operas were unsuccessful; but his Henry VIII, Ascanius and The Barbarians have been well-received.  Saint-Saens, however, is more famous as a composer of instrumental symphonies than of opera.  He was an admirable performer as well as critic.  He was made a commander of the Legion of Honor in 1894.  No modern French composer has done more to maintain the classical tradition in instrumental music.  He died in 1921.