A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Vaucorbeil, Auguste

VAUCORBEIL, Auguste Emmanuel, whose real name was Veaucorbeille, born at Rouen, Dec. 15, 1821, son of an actor long a favourite at the Gymnase under the name of Ferville. He entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1835, where he was patronised by Queen Marie Amélie, who made him an allowance. Here he studied seven years, Dourlen being his master for harmony, while Cherubini gave him some advice on composition. He took the second solfeggio prize in 1838. He first tried to earn his living by singing-lessons. As a skilled musician, and man of polished manners, he made friends, and became the pet composer of certain amateur circles. His first publication was 22 songs, of which a 'Simple Chanson' had a well-earned success. His chamber music—two string-quartets, some sonatas for PF. and violin, and one for viola, and two suites for PF.—is well constructed, with ideas at once ingenious and refined, qualities which also form the leading features of a 3-act Opéra-Comique 'La Bataille d'Amour' (April 13, 1863), and a scena with chorus, 'La Mort de Diane,' sung by Mme. Krauss at a Conservatoire concert (1870). Of an unpublished opera, 'Mahomet,' we know only some fragments played in 1877, but as far as we can judge, the fire, energy, knowledge of effect, and passion, required for success on the stage were not qualities possessed by M. Vaucorbeil. Finding that composition offered no prospect, he resolved to try a different branch, and in 1872 accepted the post of government commissary of the subsidised theatres. In 1878 he obtained the title of Inspecteur des Beaux Arts, and soon after was made director of the Opéra for seven years, entering on his functions by agreement with M. Halanzier, July 16, 1879. A new era seemed to have opened for the first opera-house in Paris; but instead of securing the services of such artists as Faure, Gayarré, Mme. Fidès-Devriès, etc., he chose his singers from among the young prize-winners at the Conservatoire a system of 'reducing expenses' which has not been to the advantage of French composers. M. Vaucorbeil himself was a victim of his endeavours to manage this unmanageable theatre. He died after a short illness Nov. 2, 1884.

[ G. C. ]