Metra, Jules Louis Olivier

1830-1889

Composer of popular French dancemusic; born at Rheims. His father was an actor and he also played juvenile parts. He studied music with Edmond Roche and in several small theatres of Paris he played on the violin, violoncello and doublebass viol. From 1849 to 1854 he studied harmony with Elwart at the Paris Conservatory, then composition with Ambroise Thomas. He conducted orchestra at the Beaumarchais Theatre and afterward at the dance halls, Bal Robert, Mabille, Chateau des Fleurs, Athnee musicale, filysee Montmartre, Casino-Cadet and Bal Frascati; he also conducted for the

masked balls of the Opera Comique and the opera balls and the Theatre de la Monnaie, Brussels, and for several years was conductor at the Folies-Bergeres. Among his compositions are his waltzes, La Vague, Les Roses, and Le tour du monde; mazurkas; quadrilles; and polkas, as well as eighteen operettas and balletdivertissements, which he produced at the Folies-Bergeres and the ballet Yedda, which he brought out at the opera. He died in Paris.