June 25, 1860:
Gustave Charpentier is born in Dieuze, Moselle, in the French Empire, 80 km west of Strasbourg, the son of a baker.
July 25, 1887:
The Grand Prix de Rome is awarded to Gustave Charpentier (27), a pupil of Jules Massenet (45).
May 18, 1892:
La vie du poète, a symphony-drama for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Gustave Charpentier (31) to his own words, is performed for the first time, in the Paris Conservatoire.
November 8, 1896:
Sérénade à Watteau for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Gustave Charpentier (36) to words of Verlaine is performed for the first time, in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris.
January 17, 1899:
Le Temps publishes a petition from the Comité de l’Appel à Union favoring moderation and reconciliation in the Dreyfus affair. Among others, it is signed by Claude Debussy (36) and Gustave Charpentier (38).
February 2, 1900:
Louise, a roman musical by Gustave Charpentier (39) to words of Saint-Pol-Roux and the composer, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart in Paris. It will be staged 50 times in the next six months. Claude Debussy (37) will write, “It was a necessity, I think, for this work to be written, performed, and applauded. It fills to perfection the need for vulgar beauty and imbecile art proclaimed by the many…”
April 30, 1900:
The director of the Opéra-Comique, Albert Carré, gives away 400 tickets to Gustave Charpentier’s (39) Louise to the dressmakers of Paris.
May 13, 1901:
Henry F. Gilbert (32) arrives in Paris on his second trip to Europe. During his two-week stay he will witness Louise by Gustave Charpentier (40). It has a profound effect on him. “There in the top gallery of the Opéra Comique in Paris I vowed to devote the rest of my life to musical composition come what may.”
May 21, 1903:
Leos Janácek (48) witnesses a performance of Louise by Gustave Charpentier (42) in Prague. It will effect his work to the end of his life. He is taken by the use of prose, and what Janácek calls “speech melodies.”
October 26, 1912:
Gustave Charpentier (52) is elected to fill the chair in the Académie des Beaux-Arts vacated by the death of Jules Massenet (†0).
June 4, 1913:
Gustave Charpentier’s (52) lyric poem Julien, ou la vie du poète is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris.
September 23, 1914:
Nadia (27) and Lili (21) Boulanger write to several prominent musicians asking them to become honorary committee members of their Comité Franco-Américain du Conservatoire National de Musique et de Déclamation. This is an organization funded by the American architect Whitney Warren to give aid and support to French soldiers. All of those contacted (including Gabriel Fauré (69) and Gustave Charpentier (54)), except Camille Saint-Saëns (78), give their enthusiastic support.
July 21, 1919:
In an interview in Excelsior dated today, Gustave Charpentier (59) declares himself in favor of women’s suffrage, with some reservations.
February 18, 1956:
Gustave Charpentier dies at 66 Boulevard Rouchechouart in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, aged 95 years, seven months, and 24 days. His mortal remains will be laid to rest in the Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.