Jules Massenet
(Ecole buissonnière, Pierre Lafitte, 1913, 269–275)
Try as they may, critics will not prevent Jules Massenet from shining as one of the brightest stars in the musical firmament. No composer has enjoyed the public's favor to the extent he did, apart from Auber — a composer he did not like, any more than he did his school, but whom he resembles in a strange way: they both had facility, huge productivity, wit, grace and success, and both produced music that fitted their era. At the same time, their music was very different. Both of them have been accused of flattering their listeners; but it is rather the case that composers and audience had the same tastes, and were in perfect agreement. Massenet has been much imitated, but he did not imitate anyone.
Keywords: Jules Massenet, Auber, composers
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