Adolphe Charles Adam, born on July 24, 1803, in Paris, France, was a prolific composer and music critic renowned for his ballets and operas during the 19th century. The son of a piano teacher, Adam was admitted to the Paris Conservatoire at age 17, where he trained under composers like François-Adrien Boieldieu. Adam's career took flight with his first operatic success in 1825, and he eventually composed around 70 operas, the most notable being "Le postillon de Lonjumeau" which premiered in 1836 and featured the famous 9th high C from the tenor lead.

However, Adolphe Adam's enduring legacy in classical music is perhaps best captured by his work on the ballet "Giselle," which premiered in 1841 and remains a cornerstone of the ballet repertoire to this day. In addition, his Christmas carol "Cantique de Noël," commonly known as "O Holy Night," composed in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau, has become a beloved staple of holiday music worldwide. Adam's influence extended through his role as a critic and teacher, contributing to the development of French music until his death on May 3, 1856. His masterful sense of melody and his contribution to the romantic era's lyrical opera and ballet repertoire underscore his status as one of France's significant composers.

Genres

Early Romantic Era

French Opera

French Romanticism

Related Artists

Charles Gounod

Jules Massenet

Giuseppe Verdi

Jacques Offenbach

Gioachino Rossini

Richard Wagner

Gaetano Donizetti

Hector Berlioz

Giacomo Meyerbeer

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Ferdinand Hérold

Giacomo Puccini

Latest Release

Karajan A-Z: Adam - Bartók

Johann Sebastian Bach•

Herbert von Karajan•

Adolphe Adam•

Béla Bartók

Album - 199 Tracks - Released September 27, 2024