Carmen: Biographies of the Librettists
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Carmen: Biographies of the Librettists Henri Meilhac Born February 21, 1831 in Paris, France Ludovic Halévy Died July 6, 1897 in Paris, France Born December 31, 1833 in Paris, France Died May 7, 1908 in Paris, France Before his career as a librettist took off, Meilhac worked in a book shop and as a cartoonist and writer for newspapers Halévy grew up in the theatre. Both his father and uncle in Paris. He was known for his vivacious and witty style. In worked in the industry and Halévy was a regular at 1856 he wrote the libretto for a one-act musical comedy rehearsals and performances on Parisian stages. called La Sarabande du cardinal. From then on Meilhac wrote exclusively for the theatre, producing 115 works. In 1852 he became a civil servant, rising to the rank of secrétaire-rédacteur (writer/editor) to the Corps Législatif In 1860 he met Ludovic Halévy and formed a writing (the French Legislature). In 1856 he met Jacques partnership which would last 20 years. He worked with Offenbach, then a struggling composer, who invited him to other writers too, although those works were never as join his newly formed theatre and for whom he wrote many successful as those written with Halévy. Together they librettos, including Orphée aux enfers (1858). In 1860 wrote for several composers, providing librettos for La Halevy was commissioned to co-author a libretto but part Belle Hélène (1864), La Vie Parisienne (1866), La way through the project, the second librettist left abruptly. Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein (1867) and La Périchole Halévy needed to finish the contract, and was at a loss (1868). However it was with Bizet, and the libretto for for a partner to help. He bumped into Meilhac outside the Carmen (1875), that they achieved their most notable theatre and even though he did not really know him, Halévy success. Later, with another writing partner, Philippe Gille, offered him the job. This fortuitous meeting resulted in a Meilhac produced the libretto for Jules Massenet’s Manon fruitful partnership which lasted over 20 years, with Meilhac (1884). Meilhac was elected a member of the Académie writing the dialogue and Halévy the lyrics. Française in 1888 – a prestigious group considered experts in the French language. There were only 40 Halévy resigned from the civil service in 1865 to members and they are known as “The Immortals!” Meilhac concentrate on his writing. He died in Paris in 1908. died in 1897. Canadian Opera Company ~ Education and Outreach ~ Carmen Study Guide 2009/2010 ~ coc.ca ~ 416-306-2392.