A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Prévost, Eugène

PRÉVOST, Eugène, born in Paris, Aug. 23, 1809, studied harmony and counterpoint at the Conservatoire with Seuriot and Jelensperger, and composition with Lesueur; took the second Grand prix in 1829, and the Prix de Rome in 1831 for his cantata 'Bianca Capella.' Previous to this he had produced 'L'Hôtel des Princes,' and 'Le Grenadier de Wagram'—1-act pieces containing pretty music—both with success, at the Ambigu-Comique. On his return from Italy, 'Cosimo,' an opéra-bouffe in 2 acts, was well received at the Opéra Comique, and followed by 'Le bon Garçon,' 1 act, of no remarkable merit. After his marriage with Eléonore Colon, sister of the favourite singer Jenny Colon, Prévost left Paris to become conductor of the theatre at Havre. His unusually retentive memory proved a disadvantage in this post, for in constantly studying the works of others he lost his originality. In 1838 he left Havre for New Orleans, where he remained 20 years. He was in great request as a singing-master, conducted the French theatre at New Orleans, and produced with marked success a mass for full orchestra, and several dramatic works, including 'Esmeralda,' which contained some striking music. None of these were engraved. When the war broke out he returned to Paris, and became favourably known as a conductor. He directed the concerts of the Champs Elysées, and the fantasias which he arranged for them show great skill in orchestration. 'L'lllustre Gaspard' (1 act) was produced at the Opéra Comique (Feb. 11, 1863), but the fellow pupil of Berlioz, Reber, and A. Thomas, had virtually fallen out of the race. His son Léon, also a good conductor, recalled him to New Orleans, where he settled finally towards the end of 1867, and died July 1872.

[ G. C. ]