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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Charles Camille Saint-Saëns (pronounced San-Son) was born in Paris, France, in 1835. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire like many other famous French composers. He was a brilliant composer, pianist and organist. Like Mozart he was a child prodigy, and gave a piano recital in Paris when he was only ten. He entered the Conservatoire when he was 12, studying organ with Benoist, and composition with Halévy. 

Camille became organist at the Eglise Ste-Merry, Paris when he was 18, two years later he was organist at Madeleine, where he stayed for twenty years. He became Pianoforte Professor at the École Niedermeyer in 1861 for 4 years, and his pupils included Gabriel Fauré and André Messager.

One of his friends was Liszt, who influenced him immensely (Liszt influenced a great many composers of the time). Saint-Saëns was a prolific composer, he wrote his first two symphonies when he was 17. In 1871 he was a co-founder of the Société Nationale de Musique, to encourage the development of a French Instrumental School.

Camille was widely travelled and on his first visit to England played the Albert Hall organ. He often stayed in Algeria, which coloured some of his works. During his 86 years he influenced many composers world-wide, with his wide variety of music. Non more so than with his great 3rd Symphony (with organ), and his unique and ever popular Carnival of the Animals . . .

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