Chausson, (Amédée-)Ernest

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Chausson, (Amédée-)Ernest (b Paris, 1855; d Limay, 1899). Fr. composer. Qualified as barrister 1877 but never practised. Entered Paris Cons. 1879 to study with Massenet, but left to transfer to Franck. Visits to Munich in 1879 and 1880 and to Bayreuth in 1882 to hear Wagner operas exerted profound influence. Best-known works are Poème de l'amour et de la mer, v. and orch., Op.19 (1882–90, rev. 1893); Viviane, sym.-poem, Op.5 (1882, rev. 1887); Poème, vn. and orch., Op.25 (1896); Chanson perpetuelle, v. and orch., Op.37 (1898); pf. qt., Op.30 (1897); sym. in B♭, Op.20 (1889–90); Conc. for pf., vn., and str. qt., Op.21 (1889–91); Soir de Fête, sym.-poem, Op.32 (1897–8). Of his 3 operas, only Le roi Arthus (1885–95) has been staged (Brussels 1903). Wrote incid. mus. for The Tempest (Op.18, 1888). Died in a cycling accident.