Charles Constantin (French conductor)
Encyclopedia
Titus Charles Constantin (born Marseilles 7 January 1835 – died Pau 27 October 1891) was a French conductor, violinist and composer.
He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and in June 1858 entered the composition class of Ambroise Thomas
. His compositions include cantatas, a ballet and several orchestral works.
Constantin was music director of the Théâtre des Fantaisies-Parisiennes from 1865 where he revived rare operas by Schubert, Donizetti, Weber, Hérold, Monsigny and Philidor. He also completed and conducted the stage premiere of Mozart’s L'oca del Cairo
(as L’oie de Caire) on 6 June 1867 at the Théâtre des Fantaisies-Parisiennes; his version later being heard elsewhere.
Later in the 1860s until 1870 he was conductor at the Théâtre Lyrique
. Constantin was then engaged by Daudé as musical director at the Casino in the Rue Cadet from September 1871. He conducted the orchestra in the premiere run of L'Arlésienne by Alphonse Daudet
with incidental music by Bizet. Constantin also directed the orchestra at the Théâtre de la Renaissance
from March 1873, and was music director at the Paris Opéra-Comique
from the death of Deloffre until September 1876.
In the 1870s he conducted at the Théâtre du Capitole
de Toulouse and at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
in Lisbon. His later career was centred around Royan
and Pau, where he died.
He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and in June 1858 entered the composition class of Ambroise Thomas
Ambroise Thomas
Charles Louis Ambroise Thomas was a French composer, best known for his operas Mignon and Hamlet and as Director of the Conservatoire de Paris from 1871 till his death.-Biography:"There is good music, there is bad music, and then there is Ambroise Thomas."- Emmanuel Chabrier-Early life...
. His compositions include cantatas, a ballet and several orchestral works.
Constantin was music director of the Théâtre des Fantaisies-Parisiennes from 1865 where he revived rare operas by Schubert, Donizetti, Weber, Hérold, Monsigny and Philidor. He also completed and conducted the stage premiere of Mozart’s L'oca del Cairo
L'oca del Cairo
L'oca del Cairo is an opera buffa in three acts, K. 422, begun by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in July 1783 but abandoned in October.The complete three act libretto by Giovanni Battista Varesco remains....
(as L’oie de Caire) on 6 June 1867 at the Théâtre des Fantaisies-Parisiennes; his version later being heard elsewhere.
Later in the 1860s until 1870 he was conductor at the Théâtre Lyrique
Théâtre Lyrique
The Théâtre Lyrique was one of four opera companies performing in Paris during the middle of the 19th century . The company was founded in 1847 as the Opéra-National by the French composer Adolphe Adam and renamed Théâtre Lyrique in 1852...
. Constantin was then engaged by Daudé as musical director at the Casino in the Rue Cadet from September 1871. He conducted the orchestra in the premiere run of L'Arlésienne by Alphonse Daudet
Alphonse Daudet
Alphonse Daudet was a French novelist. He was the father of Léon Daudet and Lucien Daudet.- Early life :Alphonse Daudet was born in Nîmes, France. His family, on both sides, belonged to the bourgeoisie. The father, Vincent Daudet, was a silk manufacturer — a man dogged through life by misfortune...
with incidental music by Bizet. Constantin also directed the orchestra at the Théâtre de la Renaissance
Théâtre de la Renaissance
The name Théâtre de la Renaissance has been used successively for three distinct Parisian theatre companies. The first two companies, which were short-lived enterprises in the 19th century, used the Salle Ventadour, now an office building on the Rue Méhul in the 2nd arrondissement.The current...
from March 1873, and was music director at the Paris Opéra-Comique
Opéra-Comique
The Opéra-Comique is a Parisian opera company, which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with, and for a time took the name of its chief rival the Comédie-Italienne at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, and was also called the...
from the death of Deloffre until September 1876.
In the 1870s he conducted at the Théâtre du Capitole
Théâtre du Capitole
The Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse is an opera house and ballet company located within the main administration buildings, the Capitole, of the city of Toulouse in south-west France....
de Toulouse and at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is an opera house in Lisbon, Portugal. It was opened on July 30, 1793 by Queen Maria I as a replacement for the Tejo Opera House, which was destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake...
in Lisbon. His later career was centred around Royan
Royan
Royan is a commune in the Charente-Maritime department, along the Atlantic Ocean, in southwestern France.A seaside resort, Royan is in the heart of an urban area estimated at 38,638 inhabitants, which makes it the fourth-largest conurbation in the department, after La Rochelle, Rochefort and Saintes...
and Pau, where he died.