MESSAGER, André Charles Prosper
b Montlucon, Allier, 30 December 1853
d Paris, 24 February 1929, aged seventy-five

He was admitted to the l'Ecole Niedermeyer in Paris in 1869, and was taught by Fauré and Saint-Saëns, who were to remain his close friends. In 1874 he became organist at St Sulpice, and in 1876 won first prize with a symphony in a competition. He conducted at the Folies Bergere and in theatres in Brussels. In 1881 he became organist at St Paul-St Louis and from 1882 to 1884 was maitre de chapelle at Ste Marie-des-Batignolles. From 1883 his popularity as a composer grew, until 1899, when other commitments became pressing and he had less time to write. He was also an opera administrator, pianist, orchestrator and critic.

1875 (22)

Symphony

1877 (24)

Don Juan et Haydée, cantata

1878 (25)

Fleur d'Oranger, ballet

1885 (32)

La Béarnaise, operetta

1886 (33)

Les deux pigeons, ballet

1888 (35)

Isoline, opera

1890 (37)

La Basoche, operetta

1893 (40)

Madame Chrysantheme, operetta

1894 (41)

Mirette, operetta

1896 (43)

Le Chevalier d'Harmenthal, operetta

1897 (44)

Les Petites Michu, operetta

1898 (45)

Veronique, operetta

1907 (54)

Fortuno, operetta

1914 (61)

Béatrice, operetta

1919 (66)

Monsieur Beaucaire, operetta