CHASE

Edmé (Edouard) Deldevez

Edmé (Edouard) Marie Ernest Deldevez

b. Paris, 31.5.1817 d. Paris, 6.11.1897

Teachers: for violin; Sudre (1823-5), Habeneck (at Paris Conservatoire, receiving instruction or guidance from 1825 till 1841). For counterpoint and composition; Reicha, Halévy, Berton.

Associates: Berlioz (who admired Deldevez's compositions), Gounod, Ambroise Thomas, Meyerbeer.

Biographer: see, G. Streletski: "Les schefs d'orchestre-violonists dans France du XIXe siècle". Ed. A. Penesco, Paris 1993 pp. 87-106. Also, E. Deldevez "Mes mémoires", Paris 1890.

Professional appointments: Member of Paris Opéra crchestra from 1833, and of the orchestra of the Société des Concerts du Conservatoire from 1839. Second conductor at the Opéra (1847-70, with Narcisse Giraud as principal conductor). Principal conductor at the Opéra, 1872-77, and Conductor of the Conservatoire Concerts, 1873-85. Professor of Conducting at the Paris Conservatoire, 1873-85 (the first to hold such a post). Deldevez continued to use a violin bow, rather than a baton, for conducting.

[D.D.]