ADAM, Adolphe
b Paris 24 July 1903
d Paris 3 May 1856 aged fifty-two
Discouraged by his father, who was a pianist, teacher and composer,
Adam had to study music secretly. When he was fourteen his father
relented and allowed him to enter the Paris Conservatory - on condition
that he would never compose for the theatre. He studied under Boieldieu,
who persuaded him to write opera comique. In 1847 he founded the Theatre
National. In 1848 he lost all his money in the Revolution, and was
poor for the rest of his life. In 1849 he became professor of composition
at the Paris Conservatory.
1832 (29)
Faust, ballet
1834 (31)
Le Chalet, opera
1836 (33)
Le Postillon de Longjumeau, opera
1839 (36)
La Jolie fille de Gand, ballet
1841 (38)
Giselle, ballet
1849 (46)
Le Toreador, opera
1852 (49)
Si j'étais roi, opera
1856 (52)
Le Corsaire, ballet
Adam composed a total of thirty-nine operas, as well as many ballets,
choruses, songs and much church music.