Adolphe Adam

Adolphe Charles Adam was born on July 24, 1803 in Paris, France. His father was Jean Louis Adam, the acclaimed concert pianist and professor of piano at the Paris Conservatory.

Adolph Adam enrolled in the Paris Conservatory against his father's will in 1817.

There he studied piano, and from 1821 also studied composition under Francois Boieldieu. Adam is credited for developing a genre of the 'opera-comique', a French opera with extended recitative, a spoken dialog, not necessarily comic. The development of such a genre was welcomed by many professional actors, who did not possess opera-quality voices.

Among his important operas are "Pierre et Catherine" (1829), "Danilowa" (1830), "Le Chalet" (1834), "Le Brasseur de preston" (1838), "Regine, ou Les Deux Nuits" (1839), "Le Rose de Peronne" (1841), "Lambert Simnel" (1843).

Adolphe Adam is best known for his classic ballets "Faust" (1832), "Giselle" (1840), and "Le Corsaire" (1848). The most popular of his ballets "Giselle" was written on the plot by 'Theophile Gautier' and the libretto by Saint-Georges.

"Richard en Palestine" (1844), "Cagliastro" (1844), "Le Toreador, ou L'Accord parfait" (1849), "La Paupee de Nuremberg" (1852), "Le Roi des Halles" (1853), 'La Muleter de Tolede" (1854), and "Falstaff" (1856), among many of his other operas.

After the death of his father, Adam was made the professor of composition ar the Paris Conservatory in 1848. He was the most important force behind the attempt of establishing a National Theatre in Paris. His effort was motivated by his idea of a venue for young composers and actors, where they could show their works to the public.

During the turbulent times after the revolution of 1848 he funded the National Theatre himself. After a few seasons of financial struggles the National Theatre was closed leaving Adam in serious debt.

Adam died on May 3, 1856 in Paris.

"Giselle" was revived by Sergei Diaghilev in 1910. It became the hit of the season thanks to the lavishly opulent production with the stage design by Alexandre Benois and choreography by Mikhail Fokin for "Seasons Russes" in Paris. Since it's revival by Sergei Diaghilev Giselle was performed by Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina' , Galina Ulanova, Alicia Markova, Margot Fonteyn and Natalia Makarova. The role of Gizelle is one of the most sought-after roles in ballet. Adam was elected the Member of Institute.

During the turbulent times in the 19th century France this exquisite ballet had less publicity than it deserved and completely passed out of the European repertory.