biography
Italian-born French composer during the period of transition from Classicism to Romanticism; he contributed to the development of French opera (Lodoïska; Faniska; les 2 Journées; Pygmalion) and was also a master of sacred music (Requiem; Messe “de Chimay”; Messe pour le Sacre de Charles X; Messe pour le Sacre de Louis XVIII; Motets).
His mature operas are characterized by the way they use derive their dramatic force from a Classical dignity and restraint. Long involved in pedagogical activities, he became director the Conservatory in 1822; he was named commander of the “Legion d’Honneur” in 1842 shortly before his death on March.
Cherubini left some 450 works, almost 100 which have appeared in print.
