Altes, Ernst Eugene

1830-1899

French violinist and conductor. He was born at Paris, where his father was a soldier. He early learned to play the violin and fife, and when only twelve, wrote music that gained him entrance to the Conservatory. Here he won various prizes, and studied the violin under Habeneck, and harmony and composition with Bazin and Carafa. In 1845, he became a member of the Opera band, in 1871, was appointed deputy-conductor of the Opera. In 1881 he received the decoration of the Legion of Honor.