Félix Godefroid
Illustration — Félix Godefroid by Marie-Alexandre Alophe Dieudonné-Félix Godefroid (24 July 1818 - 12 July 1897) was a Belgian harpist, who composed for his instrument and for the piano. Félix Godefroid was born in Namur, where his father failed in a theatre venture and moved the family to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where he opened a music school. In 1832 Félix entered the Conservatoire de Paris to study harp with François Joseph Naderman and Théodore Labarre.
Also recorded as Felix Godefroid
Félix Godefroid
Print made by: Félicien Rops Printed by: Ph Ham · Public domain
- Born
- 1818 · Namur.
- Died
- 1897 · Villers-sur-Mer.
- Nationality
- Belgium
- Occupation
- composer · harpist
- Fields
- opera
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Illustration — Félix Godefroid by Marie-Alexandre Alophe Dieudonné-Félix Godefroid (24 July 1818 - 12 July 1897) was a Belgian harpist, who composed for his instrument and for the piano. Félix Godefroid was born in Namur, where his father failed in a theatre venture and moved the family to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where he opened a music school. In 1832 Félix entered the Conservatoire de Paris to study harp with François Joseph Naderman and Théodore Labarre.
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wikidata · Q1479487 · wikipedia · Félix Godefroid
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Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1818
Félix Godefroid born at Namur.
1897
Félix Godefroid died at Villers-sur-Mer.
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Namur.
Birth place
Villers-sur-Mer.
Death place
Publications
Impressed with the pedal harp perfected by Sébastien Érard, Godefroid elected to pursue a concert career. From 1839, he began a brilliant solo tour through Europe and the Levant. In 1847, Félix Godefroid settled in Paris and finally made his debut there. Called the "Paganini of the harp" he became a great virtuoso, giving concerts throughout Europe. Besides his pieces for harp and for piano, on which he was also a virtuoso performer, Godefroid composed masses and two operas, La Harpe d'or and La Fille de Saül. His didactic work Mes exercices pour la harpe was employed by several generations of harpists. The Belgian painter Félicien Rops painted his portrait in August 1856. His older brother Jules-Joseph Godefroid (1811-1840) was also a harpist and composer. The Concours Godefroid, established to mark the centennial of his death, is held every three years at his native city of Namur and nearby Belgian cities.
• Mes exercices pour la harpe (1891) • Étude de concert en mi bémol mineur pour harpe (reprint 1978)
Portrait of Felix Godefroid, harpist (1818-1897), before 1883.
Marie-Alexandre Alophe · Archivio Storico Ricordi · Archivio Storico Ricordi, Collezione Digitale Ricordi
Portrait of Felix Godefroid, harpist (1818-1897), before 1883.
Marie-Alexandre Alophe · Archivio Storico Ricordi · Archivio Storico Ricordi, Collezione Digitale Ricordi
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reference work
- “Félix Godefroid”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q1479487: Félix Godefroid
General reference · Wikidata
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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