Casting a cursory glance backwards, do we not find, side by side with a work of such severely classic proportions, noble aspirations, yet simple construction as Méhul's "Joseph," bright specimens of the "opéra comique," like Boïeldieu's "Dame Blanche," Hérold's "Pré aux Clercs," Auber's "Fra Diavolo," and "Domino Noir"? The Grand Opéra stage is enriched by works so full of natural spontaneity as Auber's "Muette de Portici," and of dramatic power as Halévy's "La Juive." Later on, Berlioz revolutionises orchestral methods whilst raising the ideal previously aimed at, Gounod adds an elegiac note and an intensity of poetical feeling to the characteristics of his nation, and Bizet gives evidence of a genius unhappily too soon cut short, and prepares the way for the realistic operatic style now so much in vogue. "Faust," "Mignon," "Carmen," "Manon," "Samson et Dalila," and other operas acquire a European fame, whilst the younger French composers are impatiently waiting for the opportunity to vie with their elders. In closing this little volume I must again express the consciousness I entertain of the inadequacy of my efforts to deal with a subject that would require several volumes to do it justice. If, however, I have succeeded, in addition to furnishing particulars of the lives of the most popular French composers, in drawing attention to the works of some who are less well-known than they deserve to be, my object will have been attained, and this little book will not have been written in vain. APPENDIX LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL WORKS COMPOSED BY AMBROISE THOMAS, GOUNOD, SAINT-SAËNS, MASSENET, REYER, AND BRUNEAU AMBROISE THOMAS _DRAMATIC WORKS_ 1. "Le Double Échelle," opéra comique, 1 act. 1837. 2. "Le Perruquier de la Régence," op. com., 3 acts. 1838. 3. "La Gipsy," ballet, 2 acts. 1839. (In collaboration with Benoist.) 4. "Le Panier fleuri," op. com., 1 act. 1839. 5. "Carline," op., 3 acts. 1840. 6. "Le Comte de Carmagnole," op., 2 acts. 1841. 7. "Le Guerillero," op., 2 acts. 1842. 8. "Angélique et Médor," op. com., 1 act. 1843. 9. "Mina," op. com., 3 acts. 1843. 10. "Betty," ballet, 2 acts. 1846. 11. "Le Caïd," op. com., 3 acts. 1849. 12. "Le Songe d'une Nuit d'Été," op. com., 3 acts. 1850. 13. "Raymond," op., 3 acts. 1851. 14. "La Tonelli," op., 2 acts. 1853. 15. "La Cour de Célimène," op. com., 2 acts. 1855. 16. "Psyché," op., 3 acts. 1857. 17. "Le Carnaval de Venise," op. com., 3 acts. 1857. 18. "Le Roman d'Elvire," op. com., 3 acts. 1860. 19. "Mignon," op., 3 acts. 1866. 20. "Hamlet," op., 5 acts. 1868. 21. "Gille et Gillotin," op. com., 1 act. 1874. 22. "Françoise de Rimini," op., 5 acts. 1882. 23. "La Tempête," ballet. 1889. _SACRED WORKS_ Requiem. Messe Solennelle. Marche Religieuse. 3 Motets. _MISCELLANEOUS WORKS_