Deldevez, Edouard Marie Ernest

1817-1897

Celebrated violinist and leader and also composer, who for several years was the chief conductor at the Paris Opera. He was born in Paris and became a pupil of Halevy, Habeneck and Berton in 1825 at the Conservatory, where he took second prize for solfeggio in 1829, and the first prize in 183l. In 1837 he won second prize for fugue and in 1838 the Grand Prize of Rome for a cantata, La Vendetta, which he later revised and printed. He published, in 1839, a collection of songs with piano accompaniment, and the following year appeared at a Conservatory concert, playing his own overture to Robert Bruce  and his prize cantata. He was appointed second conductor of the Opera in 1859 and held the same post at the concerts of the Conservatory. In 1872 he became the chief conductor at the Opera, succeeding Hainl. He etired from that post in 1877 and from his position at the Conservatory in 1885. Several of his ballets were performed at the Opera, among them Lady Henriette, Eucharis, Paquita and Vertvert. His works consist mainly of songs, sacred choruses, two  trios, quartets, a quintet and symphonies. A requiem and some symphonies remain still unpublished. He also published an Anthology of Violinists in four volumes with a selection of pieces by various composers from Corelli to Viotti. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.