1. Charles Gounod French Composer 1818-1893

2. Biography Born in Paris, June 17, 1818 Born in Paris, June 17, 1818 Father – painter & engraver, Father – painter & engraver, worked for royalty Mother – gifted pianist, Mother – gifted pianist, supported 2 sons after father’s death Showed enormous musical talent, along with skills in drawing and painting Showed enormous musical talent, along with skills in drawing and painting

3. Biography Continued Attended Parisian Schools, where he took private lessons in harmony and counterpoint. Attended Parisian Schools, where he took private lessons in harmony and counterpoint. Enrolled himself in the Paris Conservatoire after his mother’s death. Enrolled himself in the Paris Conservatoire after his mother’s death. Earned the Grand Prix in 1839 with the cantata Fernand. Earned the Grand Prix in 1839 with the cantata Fernand.

4. Biography Continued Journeyed to Germany where he visited Felix Mendelssohn, whose style would emerge later in Gounod’s career (ie: in the instrumental offertory in the Mass of St. Cecilia.) Journeyed to Germany where he visited Felix Mendelssohn, whose style would emerge later in Gounod’s career (ie: in the instrumental offertory in the Mass of St. Cecilia.) Enrolled in seminary in 1847, but abandoned his theological studied quickly, in 1848. Enrolled in seminary in 1847, but abandoned his theological studied quickly, in 1848.

5. Composition Background First opera: Sappho – 1851. First opera: Sappho – 1851. Most successful opera: Faust – 1859. Most successful opera: Faust – 1859. Romeo and Juliet – 1867. Romeo and Juliet – 1867. Most Famous Sacred Piece: Jesus of Nazareth – 1856. Most Famous Sacred Piece: Jesus of Nazareth – 1856. Wrote 21 masses, 3 oratories, and many cantatas, motets and other religious works. Wrote 21 masses, 3 oratories, and many cantatas, motets and other religious works.

6. Mass of St. Cecilia Communion Service Mass Communion Service Mass Written in 1855 Written in 1855 His most famous essay in the genre. His most famous essay in the genre. Certain heavy-handedness in parts of the orchestra shows Gounod’s eternally youthful religious enthusiasm. Certain heavy-handedness in parts of the orchestra shows Gounod’s eternally youthful religious enthusiasm. Mass ends in the form of the 3-fold prayer to the Emperor Napoleon, invoking church, army, and nation. Mass ends in the form of the 3-fold prayer to the Emperor Napoleon, invoking church, army, and nation.

7. Work Cited "Charles Gounod." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 7 Apr 2006, 19 Apr 2006.http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Gounod&oldid=47 329335 Huebner, Steven ‘Gounod, Charles', Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed: 4/12/2006),. Otten, Joseph. Charles-François Gounod. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. VI.October 2005