Identity:

Louis Charles Bonaventure Alfred Bruneau was a French composer.

Life:

Bruneau studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Auguste Franchomme (1873–6) and later, from 1879 to 1881, with Massenet. Bruneau's first opera Kérim (1887), which reflects the influence of both Massanet and Gounod, was well received and he went to develop a successful career as an operatic composer, aided by his friend Emile Zola, his frequent collaborator as librettist (beginning with Messidor, 1897). Bruneau also wrote on music, publishing works including La musique française (1901) and Musiques de Russie et musiciens de France (1903). In 1891, the critic Théodore Duret hoped to introduce him to JW in London (#00987).

Bibliography:

Langham Smith, Richard, '(Louis Charles Bonaventure) Alfred Bruneau,' Grove Dictionary of Music Online, http://www.grovemusic.com (accessed 19 July 2004).