A CATHOLIC MUSICIAN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 1, 1 May 1896, Page 4

A CATHOLIC MUSICIAN.

Likb that other "grand old man "of science, M. Pasteur, who recently went to his reward at an advanced old age (says tbe Catholic Times), M. Ambroiee Thomas, the Director of the Paris Conservatoire of Music, and tie doyen of French composers, lived and died as a gcod practical Catholic. At the commencement of his illness be took care to have a priest called in, and in his final moments he received the last sacraments with edifying piety. An example such at this is well worthy of record at a time of so much laxity and indiffercce, and in the case of one whose eminent merits have been recognised by a State fnneral. Though perhaps not quite the equal of Gounod, Thomas has been a European favourite, and established a lasting reputation. His first great success, " The Caid," dates co far back as 1848. The " Songe done Nuit d'Bte," which was produced in the following year, was not less enthusiastically received. The fertile pen of the deoeased maestro thenceforward supplied the public with a succession of pieces which were admired wherever they became known. " Mignon " was represented over a thousand times at the Opara Comique, and may be said to be tbe most popular opera cf tbe century. It is generally recognised in France that by this work, so full of melody and sentiment, Ambroiee Thomas enlarged the sphere of comic opera. Later on " Mignon was arranged by its author as a grand opera, and in that form sustained by the most renowned artists in England, Garmany and Russia, as well as in France. His other p-od notions include " Hamlet," a Shakespearian version, which did not quite ban monise with British sentiment, bnt was well received on tbe Continent, "Francoise de Rimini "—a theme which had already been dramatically treated by Silvio Pellico— and a Bsquiem Mass. In private life M. Thomas was a man of simple but engaging manners, true to bis friends and generous to opponents,