Lajarte, Théodore (-Édouard Dufaure de)
Lajarte, Théodore (-Édouard Dufaure de)
Lajarte, Théodore (-Édouard Dufaure de), French writer on music and composer; b. Bordeaux, July 10, 1826; d. Paris, June 20, 1890. He studied at the Paris Cons, with Leborne, and was archivist of the Paris Grand Opéra (1873–90). He wrote some 10 opéras comiques, the most successful being Le Secret de l’oncle Vincent (1855). His other works include 2 ballets, choral works, and music for military band. However, he is best known for his writings. He also prepared Airs à danser de
Lully à Méhul (Paris, 1876), Chefs-d’oeuvre classiques de l’opéra français (Paris, 1880), and various vocal scores for the Michaelis collection (1880–82).
Writings
Bibliothèque musicale du théâtre de l’opéra: Catalogue historique, chronologique, anecdotique (2 vols., Paris, 1876-78; reprint, Geneva, 1969); Instruments Sax et fanfares civiles (Paris, 1867); with A. Bisson, Grammaire de la musique (Paris, 1880; 3rd ed., 1913); idem, Petit traité de composition musicale (Paris, 1881); idem, Petite encyclopédie musicale (Paris, 1881-84); Les Curiosités de l’Opéra (Paris, 1883).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire