He studied with Francois Bualdieu at the Paris Conservatoire and was professor at the Conservatoire from 1849. One of his pupils was Leo Delibes. Member of the Institut de France from 1844. In 1847 he opened his own theatre, the Théatre National, but the Revolution of 1848 forced it to close and left the composer in debt
He made his debut as an opera composer in 1829, when the Opéra-Comique staged his "Pierre et Catherine". He became known for his comic operas and romantic ballets. He created more than 80 works for the stage, including more than 50 operas, 13 ballets and vaudevilles. His most popular works are Giselle, or La Vilise, based on a screenplay by T. Gautier, and Le Corsaire, based on a story by D. Byron. He also composed cantatas, choruses, masses and piano pieces. His works are characterised by their links with domestic music genres and their expressive melodicism.[1] The 15th-century folk song Sur le pont d'Avignon (On the Bridge of Avignon), which was heard in the opera The Hounds and gave a second life to the 15th-century folk song Sur le pont d'Avignon, which ridiculed the church servants when the papal throne was moved to Avignon.
