| Albert Dupuis | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | 1 March 1877 Verviers, Belgium |
| Died | 19 September 1967 (aged 90) Brussels, Belgium |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupations | Composer |
| Website | www.albertdupuis.com |
Albert Dupuis (1 March 1877 – 19 September 1967) was a Belgian composer.
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Albert Dupuis was born in Verviers on 1 March 1877. The son of a music teacher, Dupuis studied violin, piano and flute from the age of 8, at the conservatory in his hometown, Verviers, also home of Guillaume Lekeu and Henri Vieuxtemps. Orphaned at age 15, he worked as a tutor at the Grand Theater of Verviers while pursuing his studies, including from Francis Duyzings for harmony. A brilliant and precocious student, he composed his first comic opera at age 18.
Noticed by Vincent d'Indy in 1897, Dupuis was invited to work with him at the Schola Cantorum in Paris. A time coach of the choir of Saint-Eustache, he returned to Verviers in 1900 to marry. In 1903 he won the Prix de Rome Belgium (not to be confused with the French Prix de Rome) with his cantata La Chanson d'Halewyn and on 5 March his opera Jean-Michel premiered at the La Monnaie.
Appointed conductor of the Theater of Ghent in 1905, he withdrew the season completed to devote himself to composition. But when in 1907 the council of Verviers offered him the post of director of the conservatory, he accepted and held it until his retirement in 1947. During his lifetime, his works met with some success in Brussels and in major cities in Belgium (particularly in Flanders) and France in particular his opera La Passion, played more than 150 times La Monnaie and he directed them several times. He also enjoyed the esteem of his peers, as Eugene Ysaÿe, dedicated of several of his works and who informed the United States.
Two of Dupuis' daughters, Gislène (cello) and Irene (violin), were eminent concert musicians. A street is named after him in the village of Stembert.
Viola