Meriel, Paul

1818-

Violinist and composer; born at Mondontheau, Loire-et-Cher. As a boy he supported himself by violinplaying. He was a student with Alessandro Napoleone at Lisbon and with Somma at Perpignau. He became conductor of a traveling orchestra which played at Amiens, where he produced his comic opera Cornelius Targentier. In 1847 he began teaching in Toulouse, where later he became director of the Conservatory. He was later made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. He produced several comic operas, Les Precieuses ridicules, Le Retour au pays, L'Orpheon en voyage, Les Paques de la Reine, as well as his symphony, Le Tasse; his dramatic oratorio, Cain; and his grand opera, l'Armorique.