Edouard Lalo

Background

Edouard Lalo was born at Lille, on January 27, 1823.

Education

He began his musical studies at the conservatoire at Lille, and in Paris attended the violin classes of Habeneck.

Career

In 1867 he took part in an operatic competition, an opera from his pen, entitled Fiesque, obtaining the third place out of forty-three.

Fiesque was next offered to the Theatre de la Monnaie, Brussels, and was about to be produced there when the manager became bankrupt.

Thus, when nearly fifty years of age, Lalo found himself in difficulties.

Fiesque was never performed, but the composer published the pianoforte score, and eventually employed some of the music in other works.

After the Franco-German war French composers found their opportunity in the concert-room.

Namouna, the ballet in question, was produced at the Opera in 1882.

Six years later, on the 7th of May 1888, Le Roi d'Ys was brought out at the Opera Comique, and Lalo was at last enabled to taste the sweets of success.

Unfortunately, fame came to him too late in life.

A pianoforte concerto and the music to Niron, a pantomimic piece played at the Hippodrome in 1891, were his last two works. He had begun a new opera, but had. only written the first act when, on the 23rd of April 1892, he died. This opera, La Jacquerie, was finished by Arthur Coquard, and was produced in 1895 at Monte Carlo, Aix-les-Bains and finally in Paris. Lalo had distinct originality, discernible in his employment of curious rhythmic devices. His music is ever ingenious and brilliantly effective.

Achievements

• Edouard Lalo's early works include two trios, a quartet, and several pieces for violin and pianoforte. In 1867 he took part in an operatic competition, an opera from his pen, entitled Fiesque, obtaining the third place out of forty-three. Namouna, the ballet in question, was produced at the Opera in 1882. Six years later, on the 7th of May 1888, Le Roi d'Ys was brought out at the Opera Comique. A pianoforte concerto and the music to Niron, a pantomimic piece played at the Hippodrome in 1891, were his last two works.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Lalo: Complete Songs

    (Composer Edouard Lalo's work encompassed the period of Ro...)

  • Lalo: Concerto Russe - Romance

Connections

Wife:

Julie Besnier de Maligny

She became his bride in 1865 and aroused Lalo's early interest in opera.

Son:

Pierre Lalo

He was a music critic who wrote for Le Temps and other French periodicals from 1898 until his death.