Klaus Döring's Classical Music/Klaus Döring's Klassische Musik

4,227,122 views Apr 16, 2010 Jules Massenet Thais Meditation Classic FM M-Tel Radio Symphony Orchestra 13 March 2006 NDK Sofia MAXIM VENGEROV, Violin Conductor: Luciano Di Martino TheClassicalmusic

Alternate titles: Jules-Émile-Frédéric Massenet Born: May 12, 1842 France Died: August 13, 1912 (aged 70) Paris France Jules Massenet, in full Jules-Émile-Frédéric Massenet, (born May 12, 1842, Montaud, near Saint-Étienne, France—died August 13, 1912, Paris), leading French opera composer, whose music is admired for its lyricism, sensuality, occasional sentimentality, and theatrical aptness. The son of an ironmaster, Massenet entered the Paris Conservatoire at age 11, subsequently studying composition under the noted opera composer Ambroise Thomas. In 1863 he won the Prix de Rome with his cantata David Rizzio. With the production in 1867 of his opera La Grand’ Tante (The Great Aunt), he embarked on a career as a composer of operas and incidental music. His 24 operas are characterized by a graceful, thoroughly French melodic style. Manon (1884; after Antoine-François, Abbé Prévost d’Exiles) is considered by many to be his masterpiece. The opera, marked by sensuous melody and skilled per...