Étienne Nicolas Méhul

Born June 22, 1763, in Givet, France; died Oct. 18, 1817, in Paris. French composer. Member of the Institut de France (1795).

Working in revolutionary Paris, Mehul and other progressive musicians composed music for the masses and organized elaborate festivals. Mehul helped found the Institut National de Musique (later the Conservatoire), and served as its first inspector. In his compositions, the heroic and tragic traditions of C. W. Gluck’s works received new expression. His songs “Campaign Song” and “Song of Victory” were popular. Mehul wrote 45 operas, including Stratonice (1792), Ariodant (1798), and Joseph (1807); music for theater; two symphonies; and other compositions.