Adolphe Adam: Master of Romantic Ballet and Opera
French composer renowned for his ballets and operas who epitomized the Romantic era in 19th-century music.
Adam studied at the Paris Conservatoire under François-Adrien Boieldieu, overcoming paternal opposition to pursue music. He composed over 70 operas and 14 ballets, achieving fame with 'Giselle' (1841) and the Christmas carol 'O Holy Night' (1847). He founded the Théâtre-National in Paris (1847), which collapsed financially. Despite prolific output, he died impoverished.
- Adam's father, a prominent pianist and professor at the Conservatoire, actively discouraged his musical career, forcing young Adolphe to study counterpoint secretly.
- He gambled his inheritance to fund his Théâtre-National, facing ruin when the 1848 Revolution bankrupted the venture, compelling him to work as a music critic to survive.
- His iconic ballet 'Giselle' was composed in just three weeks, yet became one of the most enduring works in the ballet repertoire.
- Adam composed the music for 'O Holy Night' ('Cantique de Noël') on a commission for a provincial church service; it became one of the world's most famous Christmas carols.
- He died suddenly of a heart attack at age 52, leaving behind substantial debts despite his artistic success.
