Augusta Holmès

Augusta Holmès was a trailblazing French composer of the late 19th century, known for her bold, dramatic orchestral works and operas. Born in 1847 in Paris, she was of Irish descent and became a naturalized French citizen. Unusually for her time, Holmès not only composed large-scale symphonic music—a domain dominated by men—but also wrote her own librettos. She studied under César Franck and became known for works like "La Nuit et l’Amour" and the symphonic poem "Irlande," which showcased her lush orchestration and passionate style.

Holmès was also a prominent figure in the nationalist music scene in France during the Third Republic. Her cantata "Ludus pro patria" and her massive choral symphony "Ode triomphale," composed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, were celebrated for their patriotic zeal and grand scale. Despite facing gender-based challenges in her career, Holmès earned the respect of her contemporaries and remains a compelling voice among Romantic-era composers.

Genres

Classical

Opera

Choral

Romantic Music

Symphonic Music

Orchestral

Cantata

Nationalist

Latest Release

Noël (Trois Anges Sont Venus Ce Soir)

Augusta Holmès•

Patrick Hamilton•

Luka Faulisi

Single - Released October 17, 2025