| The first of many French composers to dabble in Orientalism, Félicien David was orphaned at an early age but received a solid musical education at a series of Jesuit institutions. His early work consisted primarily of sacred music, but after discovering the world of opéra-comique, he moved to Paris in search of a career. A disastrous interview with Conservatoire director Luigi Cherubini left David in tears, and he only audited a few classes before dropping out and joining a Saint-Simonian sect. The sect was disbanded not long after, and many of its former members - including David - travelled to the Middle East in order to preach the gospel. For David, the journey was a revelation: his exposure to the music of Egypt and Turkey reawakened his desire to compose, and he began frantically scribbling down new works cast in a Middle-Eastern mold. Returning to France, he met with sudden and astounding success upon the premiere of his sumptuously orchestrated "ode symphony" Le désert. And he even got revenge on Cherubini when he succeeded Berlioz as librarian of the Conservatoire. |
