The Prix Rossini for composition was a prize for young librettist and composers which was granted by the French

Académie des Beaux-Arts An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membership). The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, ...

. The prize was funded by a provision in composer

Gioachino Rossini Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer who gained fame for his 39 operas, although he also wrote many songs, some chamber music and piano pieces, and some sacred music. He set new standards f ...

's will which took effect in 1878 after the death of his widow. First and second prize winners received funding for their winning work to be performed in a prestigious ceremony which was managed by the Société des Concerts of the

Institut de France The (; ) is a French learned society, grouping five , including the Académie Française. It was established in 1795 at the direction of the National Convention. Located on the Quai de Conti in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, the institute m ...

, also associated with the

Paris Conservatoire The Conservatoire de Paris (), also known as the Paris Conservatory, is a college of music and dance founded in 1795. Officially known as the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP), it is situated in the avenue ...

. The first award of the prize in 1881 was to librettist

Paul Collin Paul Collin (12 July 1843 – 5 February 1915) was a French poet, writer, translator and librettist. Life and career Collin was born in Conches-en-Ouche. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, his family produced administrative officers in the mili ...

and composer Marie, Countess of Grandval for the oratorio ''La fille de Jaïre''. It was first planned to present the works in a concert two weeks post-season every two years, but because of the expense and difficulty of producing the large-scale events, it was decided to award the prize on three year cycle instead. In 1893 the presentation was moved to two weeks pre-season. The Société des Concerts presented six productions between 1885 and 1911, all for composers who went on to establish successful careers. In 2004 the prize was still awarded to musicians.

Winners

Winners of the Prix Rossini include: *

Clémence de Grandval Clémence de Grandval (21 January 1828 – 15 January 1907), born as Marie Félicie Clémence de Reiset and also known as Vicomtesse de Grandval and Marie Grandval, was a French composer of the Romantic era. She was a person and composer of stat ...

(1828–1907) *

(1843–1915) * Will Chaumuet (1842–1903) *

Auguste Chapuis Auguste Chapuis (25 April 1858 – 6 December 1933) was a 19th/20th century French composer, organist, and professor. He was a student with César Franck. The in the 20th arrondissement of Paris was named after him when he died in 1933. He was ...

(1858–1933) *

Henri Hirschmann Henri Hirschmann, real name Henri Herblay (30 April 1872 – 3 November 1961), was a French composer of light music. Originally a student of André Gedalge at the Conservatoire de Paris, he studied under Jules Massenet for two years. His best kn ...

(1872–1961) * Marcel Rousseau (1882–1955) *

Marc Delmas Marc Marie Jean Baptiste Delmas (28 March 188530 November 1931) was a French Expressionist composer and writer. Life and career Marc Delmas was born in Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France, and studied at the Conservatoire de Paris with Xavier Leroux an ...

(1885–1931) *

Louis Fourestier Louis (Félix André) Fourestier (31 May 1892 – 30 September 1976) was a French conductor, composer and pedagogue, and was one of the founders of the Orchestre Symphonique de Paris. Early years, compositions and prizes Fourestier was born in Mo ...

(1892–1976) *

Gaston Litaize Gaston Gilbert Litaize (11 August 1909 - 5 August 1991) was a French organist and composer. Considered one of the 20th century masters of the French organ, he toured, recorded, worked at churches, and taught students in and around Paris. Blind ...

(1909–1991) *

Marcel Tournier Marcel Lucien Tournier (January 5, 1879 – May 8, 1951) was a French harpist, composer, and teacher who composed important solo repertory for the harp that expanded the technical and harmonic possibilities of the instrument. His works are regula ...

(1879–1951) *

Herman Bemberg Herman Emanuel Bemberg Ocampo (29 March 1859 – 21 July 1931)Baker, Theodore; rev. by Nicolas Slonimsky (1978) ''Baker's Biographical dictionary of musicians – 6th ed.'' New York: Schirmer Books, 138. was a German-Argentine composer. Life He wa ...

(1859–1931) * Lucien-Léon Guillaume Lambert (1858–1945)

References

{{Gioachino Rossini French music awards 1878 establishments in France Awards established in 1878 Gioachino Rossini