Jean-Baptiste Weckerlin

Jean-Baptiste Weckerlin studied at Conservatoire de Paris. Training under Louis Antoine Ponchard, Fromental Halévy and Antoine Elwart is recorded. The recorded working language is French. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are classical music. Residence is recorded at rue Rougemont. Positions recorded include library curator. Distinctions recorded are Knight of the Legion of Honour.

• Name — Jean-Baptiste Weckerlin • Born — 9 November 1821 • Birthplace — Guebwiller, Alsace, France • Died — 20 May 1910 (aged 88) • Place of death — Guebwiller, now Grand Est, France • Education — Paris Conservatory • Occupation — * Music publisher • Composer

Weckerlin was born at Guebwiller. In 1844, he began studying singing with Antoine Ponchard and composition with Fromental Halévy at the Paris Conservatory. In 1847, he published his heroic symphony Roland. In 1853, Weckerlin produced a one-act comic opera, L'Organiste dans l'embarras. In 1869, he was appointed assistant librarian to the Conservatory. In 1863, he produced his comic opera Die dreifach Hochzeit im Bäsethal, and in 1879 Der verhäxt Herbst. These were both in Alsatian dialect. In 1877, he brought out the one-act opera Après Fontenoy. In 1876, he became Félicien David's successor as librarian at the Conservatory and published in 1885 a biographical catalogue. Later he became librarian of the Société des Compositeurs. He gained great renown as a composer of choral works. He married Marie Damoreau, the daughter of Madame Laure Cinti-Damoreau, the prima donna of Rossini's French operas. Weckerlin is best remembered for his piano arrangements of traditional French songs, notably the bergerette, a particular kind of pastoral air, originally for voice accompanied by harpsichord, harp or guitar. His major work, Bergerettes, romances et chansons du XVIII siècle, was published in 1860. It is recorded that he "died in Trottberg" but an obituary on his death in 1910 ran:

Among his works are: • Le Jugement dernier, oratorio • L'Aurore and Paix, charité, grandeur (1866), cantatas • Les Poèmes de la mer, for soloist, chorus and orchestra (1860) • L'Inde (1873) • La Fête d'Alexandre (1873)