Lecocq, Alexandre Charles

1832-

French composer, whose popularity lies in light operetta. Born in Paris, he entered the Conservatory in 1849, the next year winning the prize for harmony and counterpoint. While belonging to Halevy's class he took the second prize for fugue, also winning much praise for his organ work. Leaving the Conservatory in 1854, he turned his attention to writing for the stage, though with little success until his Fleur de The, in three acts, appeared in 1868. Following this appeared in rapid succession L 'Amour et son carquois; Gandolfo; Le Rajah de Mysore; Le beau Dunais; Le Barbier de Trouville; La Fille de Mme. Angot, which ran for five hundred nights; Girofle-Girofla; La jolie Persane; L'oiseau bleu; and many others. Besides all this work he has produced many songs and catches. He seemed to realize that the people like melodies that are light, gay and sparkling, and he possessed the ability to respond.