Daniel Francois Esprit Auber, a French composer, born at Caen, Jan. 29, 1782, died in Paris, May 13, 1871. His father, a print-seller at Paris, in prosperous circumstances, allowed him to devote much attention to the study of music, merely as an amusement or an elegant accomplishment. After a brief experience in mercantile life in London, he returned to Paris, and devoted himself to music, giving forth a number of little compositions, vocal and instrumental, including a new arrangement of the opera Julie. After a course of study with Cherubini, he produced in 1813 the opera of Sejour militaire, which failed; and its reception so discouraged him that for several years he abandoned the art. The death of his father, however, compelled him seriously to devote himself to it as a means of support, and in 1819 he produced at the opera comique Le testament et les billets-doux, an opera in one act, which was likewise unsuccessful. Next he wrote La bergere chatelaine, which was produced in the same theatre in the early part of the year 1820, and completely turned the tables in his favor. From this time forward he produced a great number of works, almost all of which were well received, while some are among the most successful operas now represented on the stage.

An imitator of Rossini at the outset, he gradually acquired greater independence of style, and in La muette de Por-tici (also known as Masaniello) he formed a style of his own. In addition to the works mentioned, Le cheval de bronze, Fra Diarolo, Le domino noir, Les diamante de la couronne, L'elixir d'amour, Le dieu et la bayadere, Ous-tave, La sirene, and Haydee are among his most popular operas. Many of them have been translated into English and German, and almost all into Italian, and their melodies are familiar wherever music is known. Marco Spada was produced when he was 71 years of age; La Circassienne when he was 79; La fiancee du roi de Garbe when he was 82; and his last work, Le premier jour de bonheur, at the age of 86. The successful production of this opera in February, 1868, was made the occasion of enthusiastic demonstrations of the old maestro's popularity. He wrote a march for the opening of the world's exhibition in London in 1862. He was elected to the French institute in 1829, became a chevalier of the legion of honor in 1825 and grand officer in 1861, and succeeded Cherubini as director of the conservatory in 1842. The characteristics of Auber's music are sprightliness and grace, with clearness and simplicity in dramatic effect.