Delibes, Leo

Country: France
Birth: Feb 21, 1836 in Saint-Germain-du-Val, Sarthe, France
Death: Jan 16, 1891 in Paris, France
Period: Romantic (1820-1869)

Léo Delibes (1836-1891) wrote his most important works for the stage. The ballets Coppélia and Sylvia have remained in the standard repertoire since their premieres, and the opera Lakmé, although not as frequently heard in full, yielded the "Bell Song," a favorite encore of coloraturas, and the "Flower Duet," a favorite of TV ad producers. Delibes studied with Adolphe Adam and worked as chorus master at the Paris Opéra  and an organist before devoting himself to composition. His music is marked by lightness, elegance, wit, and charming melodies. After his stage music, his significant works are those for voice.