Georges, Alexander

1850-

French organist and composer; born at Arras; studied at the Niedermeyer School, Paris, winning first prize in each of the three branches he took, organ, piano, and composition, and also state diplomas for organist and chapelmaster. His comic opera, Le Printemps, was produced first in 1888, and afterward at the Theatre Lyrique; a lyric drama, Charlotte Corday, was given in 1901, and a lyric opera, Poemes d'Amour, in 1892. He has written the incidental music to the plays, Le Nouveau Monde, Axel, and Alceste. The Chansons di Miarka, for voice with orchestral accompaniment, are ranked among the best modern French songs. He has also written several symphonic poems for orchestra, Leila, La Naissance de Venus, and Le Paradis Perdu. He is considered a master of orchestration, and is a representative Frenchman in hif music.