Janssens, Jean François Joseph

1801-1835

Belgian composer. Born and died in Antwerp. He studied with his father, who directed music at St. Charles' Church, then with De Loeuw, of St. Paul's, and later at Paris, with Lesueur. His parents wished him to study law, and accordingly he became notary at Hobpken in 1826. He held the same position in Berchem in 1829 and at Antwerp in 1831, but his spare time was given to composition. The siege of Antwerp, in 1832, sent him to Cologne, where, after his arrival a fire destroyed his compositions and other possessions, causing him to go insane. His works include the operas, La jolie fiancee, and Le pere rival; the cantatas, Les Grecs, or Missolonghi, and Winterarmoede; the symphonies, Le Lever du soleil, and one which took a prize at Ghent; Le roi, an ode; a Te Deum for orchestra and chorus; five masses for four voices and orchestra; songs; anthems; hymns; motets; psalms. His compositions were not appreciated until after his death.