ALFRED

See also:

• ALFRED BRUNEAU (1857– )

BRUNEAU (1857– )  , French musical composer, was born in Paris . His parents were devoted to music, and he was brought up to play the 'cello, being educated at the Paris Conservatoire . He played in Pasdeloup's orchestra, and soon began to compose, writing a cantata, Genevieve de Paris, at an early age . In 1884 his Ouverture heroique was performed, followed by the choral symphonies, Leda (1884), La Belle an bois dormant (1886). and Penthesilee . But he is best known as a dramatic composer . In 1887 his first opera, Kerim, was produced; and in 1891 his successful opera Le Reeve, with a libretto founded on Zola's story . Another subject from Zola resulted in the opera L'Attaque du moulin (1893), and libretti by Zola himself were written for his next operas Messidor (1897) and L'Ouragan (1901) . Among Bruneau's other works may be mentioned his Requiem (1896), and his two collections of songs, Lieds de France and Chansons a dancer . He was decorated with the Legion of Honour in 1895 . His musical criticisms, published in several volumes, are remarkable for literary quality and vigour . See Arthur Hervey's volume on Bruneau (1907) .