Marty, Eugene Georges

1860-

Modern French composer and conductor, whose work shows the influence of Massenet; born in Paris. At the age of twelve he entered the Conservatory, where he took a course in tonality from Gillet, piano from Crohare, harmony from Dubois, organ and counterpoint for Cesar Franck, and fugue and composition from Massenet. He took first prize in harmony and tonality in 1882 and by the unanimous vote of the jury was awarded the Grand Prize of Rome, for his cantata, Edith. Traveling in Germany, Sicily, Tunis and Italy, he sent home a number of compositions from Rome and returned to France in 1890. He immediately became general director of the choir in the Lyric Theatre, and in this capacity mounted Samson and Delilah. In 1892 he was made professor of classics in choral singing at the National Conservatory, where he remained until 1904, when he was given the title of Professor of Harmony by the ministry. From 1893 to 1896 he directed Grand Opera. In 1899 he was made leader of an orchestra at Barcelona, and from 1890 to 1892 held a similar position at the Opera Comique in Paris and at the same time became chief of the orchestra at the Conservatory concerts, a position which he is still filling. In 1906 he was made director of orchestra for Classic concerts at Vichy; in 1898 he was named an officer of public instruction, and in 1900 was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. His most important works are a two-act opera, Daria; the threeact opera, Le Due de Ferrare; La Grande Mademoiselle; the pantomime, Lysic; Ballade d'hiver, for orchestra; overture de Balthasar; dramatic poem, Merlin enchante; Matinee de printemps; orchestra suite; choruses and songs; and a suite, Les Saisons.