A. (Adrien) Barthe (1828-1898), a pseudonym for Grat-Norbert
Barthe. Barthe began his music studies with piano and composition
lessons, and eventually became a student of Leborne at the Paris
Conservatory. In 1854 he took first prize in composition at the
Rome Institute with a cantata entitled Francesca de Rimini.
His later oratorio Judith and opera Don Carlos
also won acclaim. Halévy praised Don Carlos as
"...well written, instrumentated with care...and giving true
hope for M. Barthe's future...". After his return from Rome,
Barthe attempted to work in the theater, but to no avail until
1864, when his opera la Fiancée d'Abydos won first
prize in a competition, and was subsequently staged at the
Theater-Lyrique on December 30, 1865. Due to a weak
libretto,however, la Fiancée d'Abydos never attained a
place in the repertoire and it was shortly thereafter that Barthe
decided to discontinue his career as a composer. He married Mlle.
Banderali, daughter of the singer of that name, who had herself
achieved a considerable reputation in her father's field. Norbert
took up a career as a teacher, apparently working for the French
government as well, in which connection he published his
composition text.
Adrien Barthe
Biography
A. (Adrien) Barthe (1828-1898), a pseudonym for Grat-Norbert Barthe. Barthe began his music studies with piano and composition lessons, and eventually became a student of Leborne at the Paris Conservatory. In 1854 he took first prize in composition at the Rome Institute with a cantata entitled Francesca de Rimini. His later oratorio Judith and opera Don Carlos also won acclaim. Halévy praised Don Carlos as "...well written, instrumentated with care...and giving true hope for M. Barthe's future...". After his return from Rome, Barthe attempted to work in the theater, but to no avail until 1864, when his opera la Fiancée d'Abydos won first prize in a competition, and was subsequently staged at the Theater-Lyrique on December 30, 1865. Due to a weak libretto,however, la Fiancée d'Abydos never attained a place in the repertoire and it was shortly thereafter that Barthe decided to discontinue his career as a composer. He married Mlle. Banderali, daughter of the singer of that name, who had herself achieved a considerable reputation in her father's field. Norbert took up a career as a teacher, apparently working for the French government as well, in which connection he published his composition text.(from esm.rochester.edu)