A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Batton, Désiré

BATTON, Désiré Alexandre, born in Paris 1797, died there 1855; the son of an artificial flower maker. Was a pupil at the Conservatoire (including counterpoint under Cherubini) from 1806 to 1817, in which year he won the 'Grand Prix' for his cantata 'La mort d'Adonis,' entitling him to travel for five years in Italy and Germany at government expense, and he accordingly started in 1818, after the performance of his comic opera 'La Fenêtre secrète' at the Théâtre Feydeau. During his tour he composed several works, chiefly sacred music, in Rome, and a symphony performed in Munich. After his return to Paris in 1823 he brought out three operas, the failure of which drove him to adopt his father's trade. 'La Marquise de Brinvilliers,' composed in 1832 in conjunction with Auber, Harold, and Carafa, was however better received. Batton's failure as a dramatic composer may in great part be attributed to the poverty of his libretti.

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