Composer. Born Jean Robert Planquette in Paris, he dropped out of studies at the Conservatory and made a modest living as a singer-songwriter at local cafes. One of his songs, the patriotic "Sambre et Meuse" (1871), is known today in its arrangement for brass band. In 1876 Planquette accepted a commission from the Folies Dramatiques for an operetta, even though he had no experience writing for the stage. The result, "Les Cloches de Corneville" (1877), was a smash that brought him immediate fame. It received over 1200 performances in Paris and London and remains a staple of the light opera repertory. Of his 11 other operettas only "Rip Van Winkle" (1882) is of note. Overall, Planquette was a minor talent whose sole gift was as a melodist; the refreshing tunes of "Les Cloches" effectively mask its technical and dramatic shortcomings. The bells on his tomb in Pere Lachaise are a reference to his biggest hit. A street in Paris is named for him.
Composer. Born Jean Robert Planquette in Paris, he dropped out of studies at the Conservatory and made a modest living as a singer-songwriter at local cafes. One of his songs, the patriotic "Sambre et Meuse" (1871), is known today in its arrangement for brass band. In 1876 Planquette accepted a commission from the Folies Dramatiques for an operetta, even though he had no experience writing for the stage. The result, "Les Cloches de Corneville" (1877), was a smash that brought him immediate fame. It received over 1200 performances in Paris and London and remains a staple of the light opera repertory. Of his 11 other operettas only "Rip Van Winkle" (1882) is of note. Overall, Planquette was a minor talent whose sole gift was as a melodist; the refreshing tunes of "Les Cloches" effectively mask its technical and dramatic shortcomings. The bells on his tomb in Pere Lachaise are a reference to his biggest hit. A street in Paris is named for him.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Advertisement
See more Planquette memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
