(From Birmingham) THE BIRMINGHAM
STUDIO ORCHESTRA.
Conducted by Joseph LEWIS
HELEN ALSTON
(Soprano)
Thomas, although known almost wholly now by Mignon, was the composer of at least twenty operas and full-sized ballets which enjoyed great popularity in the second half of last century. In his own day, indeed, he was easily the most popular of composers for the Paris stage. The latter part of his life was spent, however, in teaching, as head of the famous
Paris Conservatoire-a post which he held for twenty-five years. It was the success of his Opera Hamlet, following on Mignon, which won him that distinction, and to Mignon he owed the award of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, which was given him on the occasion of its thousandth performance.
The Opera Raymond, of which only the Overture is now played, although that is well known and popular, appeared in 1861.