The New Student's Reference Work/Saint-Saens, Charles Camille

Saint-Saens (săn′-sȧn′), Charles Camille, a distinguished French musician, was born in in 1835. He showed musical talent even as an infant; and at 16 wrote a symphony. For many years he was organist at the Madeleine Church in Paris. His earlier operas were unsuccessful; but his Henry VIII, Ascanius and The Barbarians have been well-received. Saint-Saens, however, is more famous as a composer of instrumental symphonies than of opera. He was an admirable performer as well as critic. He was made a commander of the in 1894. No modern French composer has done more to maintain the classical tradition in instrumental music. He died in 1921.