Tilmant, Théophile (Alexandre)

views updated

Tilmant, Théophile (Alexandre)

Tilmant, Théophile (Alexandre), noted French violinist and conductor; b. Valenciennes, July 8, 1799; d. Asnières, near Paris, May 7, 1878. He studied violin with Rodolphe Kreutzer at the Paris Cons. (premier prix, 1819), then was a member of the orchs. at the Théâtre-Italien (from 1819) and of the Opéra (from 1825). He was deputy conductor of the Société des Concerts du Conservatoire (1818-60), and then its chief conductor (1860-63); also was deputy conductor (1834-38) and chief conductor (1838-9) of the Théâtre-Italien, as well as conductor of the Opéra-Comique (1849-68). With his brother, the cellist Alexandre Tilmant (b. Valenciennes, Oct. 14, 1808; d. Paris, June 13, 1880), he was active in a chamber music society.

—Nicholas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire