Sainton, Prosper (Philippe Cathérine)

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Sainton, Prosper (Philippe Cathérine)

Sainton, Prosper (Philippe Cathérine) , French violinist and composer; b. Toulouse, June 5, 1813; d. London, Oct. 17, 1890. He was a pupil of Habeneck at the Paris Cons., winning first prize for violin in 1834. After making a successful tour of Europe, he was a prof, at the Toulouse Cons. (1840–44). He settled in England in 1844, where he was a prof. at the Royal Academy of Music (from 1845) and concertmaster of the orchs. of the Phil. Society (1846–54), the Royal Italian Opera at Covent Garden (1847–71), the Sacred Harmonic Society (from 1848), and at Her Majesty’s Theatre (1871–80); served as conductor of the state band and as violin soloist to the Queen (1848–55). He wrote 2 violin concertos and several violin solos. In 1860 he married Charlotte (Helen, née Dolby) Sainton-Dolby (b. London, May 17, 1821; d. there, Feb. 18, 1885), a contralto, teacher, and composer. She prepared a singing manual and also composed cantatas and numerous songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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Sainton, Prosper (Philippe Cathérine)

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