FRANCK, CÉSAR-AUGUSTE. — Organist and composer, b. at Liège on 10 December 1822, d. in Paris on 8 November 1890. Having begun his studies at Liège, in 1835 he went to Paris with his family.
After various unsuccessful attempts, in 1853 he accepted the position of organist at St-Jean-St-François, and from there later moved to S. Clotilde, where for more than thirty years he lavished the treasures of his talent and inspiration. In 1872 he returned to the Conservatory as professor of organ, where he had numerous pupils. His compositions are animated by a spirit of profound religiosity, and the musical discourse is always well ordered and sustained.
The principal works of F. are the oratorios: Ruth (1843), La tour de Babel (1865), Les hœtitudes (1869–70), Réademption (1871), Rebecca (1881), a lyric scene for soloists, chorus, and orchestra; the operas: La toilet de Perne (1852), Hulda (1885), Ghiselle (1890), a lyric drama in four acts; for orchestra: Les Bolides (1876), Le chasseur maudit, symphonic poem (1882), Les Djins, symphonic poem (1884); several Masses and motets, Psalm CL, as well as choral symphonies and pieces for organ.