Albert Wolff
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Albert Wolff (January 19, 1884 – February 20, 1970) was a French conductor and composer of Dutch decent. Most of his career was spent in European venues, with the exception of two years that he spent as a conductor at the Metropolitan Opera. He is most known for holding the position of principal conductor with the Opéra-Comique in Paris for several years.
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[edit] Early life and career
Wolff was born on January 19, 1884 in Paris, France. His parents were Dutch which has caused some sources to identify Wolff as a Dutch composer. However, Wolff spent most of his life in France and was born a French citizen. He never lived in the Netherlands or was ever a citizen of that country. Wolff began his musical studies at the Paris Conservatoire at age 12. While at the conervatory he studied under such distinguished teachers as Gédalge, Leroux, and Vidal. Upon graduation at the age of 22, Wolff was awarded first prize in piano. In 1906, he became organist at St. Thomas D'Aquin Church in Paris while leading ensembles elsewhere in that city. Wolff held that position for four years.
In 1908, Wolff was appointmented as chorus master at the Opéra-Comique. This was his first experience with any form of stage work. He remained in that position for three years before being given an opportunity to conduct a production of Laparra's La jota. Impressed with his performance, the Opéra-Comique continued to employ him as a conductor until the outbreak of World War I. Throughout that conflict, Wolff served his country at the front lines, and was decorated for his courage.
At the end of the War, Wolff came to the United States to join the conducting staff at the Metropolitan Opera, replacing Pierre Monteux. His made his debut on November 21, 1919, in Gounod's Faust. Although Wolff's work with the company received consistently positive reviews from critics, he spent less than two full seasons at the Metropolitan Opera. While with the company Wolff was able to conduct several performances of his own opera L'Oiseau bleu.
Wolff later returned to the Opéra-Comique. He succeeded André Messager as chief conductor in 1922. Around this same time, he founded the Concerts Modernes Paris to provide a medium for the public performance of new works. In 1924 he resigned his post at the Opéra-Comique and became musical director of the Champs Élysées Theatre. From 1928 to 1934 he became conductor of theConcerts Lamoureux. He then moved to the Concerts Pasdeloup, which he conducted until 1940.
In 1945 he became director of the Opera-Comique, later becoming associated with the Paris Opera in 1949. He died in Paris in 1970.
[edit] Works
[edit] Operas
- Sœur Béatrice (1911 ; Nice, 1948),
- Le Marchand de Masques (Nice, 1914),
- L'Oiseau Bleu (New York, December 27, 1919).
[edit] Ballet
- Le Clochard, from a scenario by his son Pierre.
[edit] Music for orchestras
- La Randonnée de l'âme défunte
- Concerto pour flûte (1943)
- Symphonie en la
[edit] Other works
- Requiem for solists, choirs (Concerts Pasdeloup, March 25, 1939),
[edit] External links
Biography (in French): Jean-Philippe Mousnier: "Albert Wolff - Eugène Bigot" Edition L'Harmattan 2001.
| Preceded by Paul Paray |
Principal Conductors, Lamoureux Orchestra 1928–1934 |
Succeeded by Eugène Bigot |
