# Charles Gounod

> French composer (1818–1893)

**Wikidata**: [Q180278](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q180278)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Gounod)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-gounod

## Summary
Charles Gounod was a French composer, music educator, and organist (1818–1893) best known for his operas, including *Faust* and *Roméo et Juliette*, as well as his *Funeral March of a Marionette*. His works bridged classical and Romantic traditions, leaving a lasting impact on Western art music.

## Biography
- **Born**: June 17, 1818, in France
- **Nationality**: French
- **Education**: Studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and Lycée Saint-Louis
- **Known for**: Composing operas, symphonies, and sacred music; notable works include *Faust*, *Roméo et Juliette*, and *Funeral March of a Marionette*
- **Employer(s)**: Académie des beaux-arts, Conservatoire de Paris
- **Field(s)**: Classical music composition, music education, organ performance

## Contributions
Charles Gounod composed several influential works in classical music:
- *Faust* (1859), a grand opera in five acts, remains one of his most celebrated compositions.
- *Roméo et Juliette* (1865), an opera based on Shakespeare’s play, showcasing his Romantic style.
- *Funeral March of a Marionette* (1872), a solo piano piece later popularized through its use in media.
- Numerous symphonies, oratorios, and sacred music pieces, contributing to the French Romantic tradition.

## FAQs
**What are Charles Gounod’s most famous compositions?**
Gounod is best known for his operas *Faust* and *Roméo et Juliette*, as well as the *Funeral March of a Marionette*, which gained fame beyond classical circles.

**Where did Charles Gounod study music?**
He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and Lycée Saint-Louis, where he honed his skills in composition and performance.

**What awards did Charles Gounod receive?**
He was awarded the Prix de Rome, a prestigious French scholarship for arts students, and later received the Legion of Honour (Commander and Grand Officer ranks).

**What was Charles Gounod’s role in music education?**
Gounod was affiliated with the Conservatoire de Paris and the Académie des beaux-arts, contributing to music pedagogy and mentoring future composers.

## Why They Matter
Charles Gounod’s compositions bridged the Classical and Romantic eras, introducing emotional depth and innovative orchestration to French opera. His works, particularly *Faust*, became cornerstones of the operatic repertoire, influencing later composers. His *Funeral March of a Marionette* also achieved cultural significance beyond classical music, demonstrating his versatility.

## Notable For
- Composed *Faust* (1859), one of the most performed operas in history.
- Wrote *Roméo et Juliette* (1865), a Romantic adaptation of Shakespeare.
- Created *Funeral March of a Marionette* (1872), later used in Alfred Hitchcock’s television series.
- Awarded the Prix de Rome and Legion of Honour (Commander and Grand Officer).
- Member of the Académie des beaux-arts and affiliated with the Conservatoire de Paris.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Charles Gounod was born on June 17, 1818, in France. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, a leading institution for music education, and later at Lycée Saint-Louis. His early training laid the foundation for his career as a composer and organist.

### Career and Major Works
Gounod’s career spanned opera, symphonic music, and sacred compositions. His opera *Faust* (1859) became a defining work of French Romanticism, blending dramatic storytelling with rich orchestration. *Roméo et Juliette* (1865) further cemented his reputation, adapting Shakespeare’s tragedy into a lyrical opera. Beyond opera, his *Funeral March of a Marionette* (1872) gained unexpected fame when used as the theme for *Alfred Hitchcock Presents*.

### Influence and Legacy
Gounod’s works influenced later composers, particularly in the Romantic tradition. His operas remain staples of the repertoire, while his smaller pieces, like the *Funeral March*, achieved broader cultural recognition. His affiliation with the Académie des beaux-arts and Conservatoire de Paris also shaped French music education.

### Awards and Recognition
Gounod received the Prix de Rome, a prestigious scholarship for young artists, and was later honored with the Legion of Honour (Commander and Grand Officer ranks), reflecting his contributions to French music.

### Affiliations and Later Life
He was associated with the Conservatoire de Paris and the Académie des beaux-arts, institutions that played key roles in his development and legacy. Gounod died on October 18, 1893, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be performed and studied.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Archivio Storico Ricordi
3. [death certificate](http://consultation.archives.hauts-de-seine.net/mdr/index.php/docnumViewer/calculHierarchieDocNum/466047/367506:396213:405226:405229:466047/768/1366)
4. BnF authorities
5. [Source](http://roglo.eu/roglo?lang=en;p=charles;n=gounod;)
6. Léonore database
7. [La musique religieuse de Charles Gounod](http://www.musimem.com/gounod.htm)
8. [Gold Medal Recipients Since 1870](https://royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/gold-medal/gold-medal-recipients-since-1870)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
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14. [Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Catholic_Encyclopedia_(1913)/Charles-Fran%C3%A7ois_Gounod)
15. [Charles François Gounod. Léonore database](http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/leonore_fr?ACTION=CHERCHER&FIELD_1=COTE&VALUE_1=LH/1177/67)
16. SNAC
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28. [Source](https://www.charles-gounod.com/gounod-en-resume.html)
29. Encyclopédie Larousse
30. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Gounod%20Charles)
31. CONOR.SI
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37. [Source](http://archives.nypl.org/mus/20071)
38. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
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41. Catalogo of the National Library of India