May 12, 1842:
01:00 Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet is born in Quartier La Terrasse, Montaud, a suburb of Saint-Étienne, 58 km southwest of Lyon, Kingdom of France, the fourth and last child born to Alexis Pierre Michel Nicolas Massenet, a master founder and owner of a scythe factory, and Eléonore Adélaïde Royer de Marancour, daughter of a military commissary. This is the father’s second marriage. He has eight children by his first wife. (The house stands at the present 20 Place Massenet, Saint-Étienne)
February 24, 1848:
As revolution erupts outside his Paris window, Jules Massenet (5) receives his first music lesson, from his mother.
October 9, 1851:
Jules Massenet (9) takes his entrance examination at the Paris Conservatoire before a panel of judges including Daniel Auber (69), Fromental Halévy (52), and Ambroise Thomas (40). He is not admitted. See 10 January 1853.
December 24, 1854:
Jules Massenet (12) is awarded a troisième accessit in piano at the Paris Conservatoire.
September 16, 1858:
Jules Massenet (16) gives his first public piano recital, in Tournai, Belgium.
March 19, 1859:
Faust, an opéra dialogué by Charles Gounod (40) to words of Barbier and Carré after Goethe, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre-Lyrique, Paris. Among the onlookers are Hector Berlioz (55), Daniel Auber (77), and Eugène Delacroix. The timpanist is a Conservatoire student named Jules Massenet (16). The critics are undecided, but it does establish Gounod’s reputation.
July 26, 1859:
Jules Massenet (17) competes for and wins the First Prize in piano at the Paris Conservatoire against 12 other male contestants.
August 4, 1859:
Jules Massenet (17) receives the First Prize in piano which he won at the Paris Conservatoire on 26 July.
January 17, 1860:
Jules Massenet (17) enters the harmony class of Napoléon-Henri Reber at the Paris Conservatoire.
May 17, 1862:
Jules Massenet (20) and his competitors enter the cubicles for the Prix de Rome competition.
August 4, 1862:
Jules Massenet (20) receives an honorable mention in the Prix de Rome competition and a second prize in counterpoint.
May 16, 1863:
Jules Massenet (21) goes into the cubicles for his second attempt at the Prix de Rome.
July 4, 1863:
Jules Massenet (21) wins the First Grand Prix de Rome for his setting of the cantata David Rizzio. Three of the jurors, Daniel Auber (81), Hector Berlioz (59), and Ambroise Thomas (51) are walking through the courtyard of the Louvre after the vote. They find Massenet hiding under a bench. Thomas tells him, “Give Berlioz a hug, you have him to thank for your prize.”
August 3, 1863:
Jules Massenet (21) receives the First Grand Prix de Rome and the first prize in fugue for his setting of the cantata David Rizzio.
January 24, 1864:
In a large group of current and former Prix de Rome winners, Jules Massenet (21) arrives in Rome for his stay.
December 17, 1865:
After almost two years in residence, Jules Massenet (23) departs the Villa Medici in Rome to return to France.
February 24, 1866:
Pompéia, a suite symphonique by Jules Massenet (23) is performed for the first time, in the Casino de la Rue Cadet, Paris.
October 8, 1866:
In the parish church of Avon, near Fontainebleau, Jules Massenet (24) marries Louise Constance de Gressy, sister of an artist, cousin of a mathematician and piano student of Franz Liszt (54) who introduced them.
March 24, 1867:
Jules Massenet’s (24) First Suite for Orchestra is performed for the first time, in Paris.
April 3, 1867:
La grand’ tante, an opéra comique by Jules Massenet (24) to words of Adénis and Granvallet, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris. It is warmly received by the audience. Reviewers find fault with the libretto.
August 15, 1867:
Paix et Liberté, a cantata by Jules Massenet (25), is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre-Lyrique for the birthday of Napoléon I.
September 13, 1870:
Franco-Prussian War: 100,000 soldiers parade before General Trochu in Paris. Among those under arms are Camille Saint-Saëns (34), Georges Bizet (31), Jules Massenet (28), Gabriel Fauré (25), and Henri Duparc (22).
January 11, 1871:
Franco-Prussian War: National Guard member Jules Massenet (28) writes to his wife from the Paris front, “Abel and I were sentries on the terrace near the Tuileries’s river banks about five in the morning when we heard the first shells moaning and shrieking. This particular noise is so nerve-wracking, and it was also so new and so strange…I am finishing my second orchestral suite as I sit by the fireplace and hear the boom-boom and bang-crash of 94-kilo shells…” (Massenet, 36)
February 25, 1871:
The Société National de Musique is founded in the Paris home of Henri Duparc by César Franck (48), Camille Saint-Saëns (35), Georges Bizet (32), Jules Massenet (28), Gabriel Fauré (25), Henri Duparc (23), Vincent d’Indy (19), and others. The concerts of the Society are to be limited to living French composers.
November 26, 1871:
Scènes hongroise, the second suite for orchestra by Jules Massenet (29), is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.
March 13, 1872:
The music publisher Georges Hartmann brings his young protégé Jules Massenet (29) to the home of the famous conductor Étienne Pasdeloup at 18 Boulevard Bonne-Nouvelle, Paris. Massenet plays for him his new opera Marie-Magdeleine. Pasdeloup declines to perform it.
March 26, 1872:
Introduction et variations for ten players by Jules Massenet (29) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 30, 1872:
Don César de Bazan, an opéra comique by Jules Massenet (30) to words of d’Ennery, Dumanoir, and Chantepie after Hugo, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris. It will receive only 13 performances.
January 8, 1873:
Music to Les erinnyes, a tragedie antique by Leconte de Lisle with music by Jules Massenet (30), is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris.
April 11, 1873:
On Good Friday, Marie-Magdeleine, a drame sacré by Jules Massenet (30) to words of Gallet, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris, to great success. See 9 February 1903.
April 17, 1873:
L’adorable Bel’-Boul’, an operetta by Jules Massenet (30) to words of Gallet, is performed for the first time, at the Cercle des Mirlitons, Paris.
February 22, 1874:
Ouverture de Phèdre for orchestra by Jules Massenet (31) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
January 10, 1875:
Scènes dramatiques d’après Shakespeare, the third suite for orchestra by Jules Massenet (32), is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire.
March 3, 1875:
Carmen, an opéra comique by Georges Bizet (36) to words of Meilhac and Halévy after Mérimée, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris. Present are Ambroise Thomas (63), Charles Gounod (56), Léo Delibes (39), Jacques Offenbach (55), Jules Massenet (32) and Vincent d’Indy (23). The work is not a success but will produce a good reception on the second night. Reviews are mixed. Carmen will enjoy 48 performances but the hall will never be filled.
March 18, 1875:
Eve, a mystère by Jules Massenet (32) to words of Gallet is performed for the first time, at the Cirque d’Été, Paris.
March 21, 1875:
Impressed with Eve, three days ago, Charles Gounod (56) writes to Jules Massenet (32), “Prepare yourself for the martyr’s role: it is given to those who descend from on high and disturb those who mount from below. Never bemoan your fate, and do not be sad. Remember that when God said, ‘This one is a chosen vessel’ he added, ‘and I will show him how he must suffer in my name.’” (Massenet, 47)
April 14, 1875:
Incidental music to Porto-Riche’s play Un drame sous Philippe II by Jules Massenet (32) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris.
October 31, 1875:
Lamento, pour orchestre, suite à l’occasion de la mort de G. Bizet by Jules Massenet (33) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 19, 1875:
Incidental music to Barrière’s and Mürger’s play La vie de Bohème by Jules Massenet (33) is performed for the first time, in Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris.
July 26, 1876:
Jules Massenet (34) is awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
February 2, 1877:
Incidental music to Déroulède’s play L’Hetman by Jules Massenet (34) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris.
April 27, 1877:
Le roi de Lahore, an opéra by Jules Massenet (34) to words of Gallet, is performed for the first time, in the Paris Opéra. The work is so successful with the audience, which includes President Mac-Mahon of France and Emperor Pedro of Brazil, that it proves a turning point in Massenet’s career. See 3 March 1878.
February 11, 1878:
Narcisse, an idylle antique for solo voices and chorus by Jules Massenet (35) to words of Collin is performed for the first time.
March 3, 1878:
A suite from Jules Massenet’s (35) opera Le Roi de Lahore is performed for the first time, in Paris. See 27 April 1877.
March 24, 1878:
Jules Massenet (35) meets the new Pope, Leo XIII in an audience at the Vatican. Later he is presented to Queen Margherita, now the Queen Mother for whom he plays selections from Le Roi de Lahore.
October 1, 1878:
Jules Massenet (36) is appointed professor of counterpoint, fugue, and composition at the Paris Conservatoire.
November 30, 1878:
On the second ballot, Jules Massenet (36) is elected to the Institut de France over Camille Saint-Saëns (43).
June 4, 1879:
Incidental music to Hugo’s play Notre-Dame de Paris by Jules Massenet (37) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre des Nations, Paris. Included is the air Mon père est oyseau, ma mère est oyselle for solo voice.
June 7, 1879:
March héroïque de Szabady for orchestra by Jules Massenet (37) dedicated to Franz Liszt (67) is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra for a benefit for flood victims in Szégédin, Hungary.
May 22, 1880:
La Vierge, a légende sacrée by Jules Massenet (38) to words of Grandmougin, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. It is not successful.
October 7, 1880:
A funeral in memory of Jacques Offenbach is held at the Church of the Madeleine attended by a host of artistic Paris, including Ambroise Thomas (69), Johann Strauss (54), and Jules Massenet (38). Offenbach’s earthly remains are laid to rest in the Montmartre Cemetery.
November 17, 1880:
Incidental music to Verne and D’Ennery’s play Michel Strogoff by Jules Massenet (38) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.
January 27, 1881:
Souvenez-vous, Vierge Marie: Prière de St. Bernard for solo voices, chorus, orchestra, and organ by Jules Massenet (38) to words of Boyer is performed for the first time, in the Cirque d’Hiver, Paris.
March 26, 1881:
In Paris, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (40), Jules Massenet (38), Eduard Lalo (58), and Ivan Turgenyev are among the many who oversee the placing of the body of Nikolay Rubinstein in a lead coffin to be transported to Moscow. He died recently of intestinal tuberculosis.
December 19, 1881:
Hérodiade, an opéra by Jules Massenet (39) to words of Milliet and Grémont (pseud. of Hartmann) after Flaubert, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels. It is the first French opera to be premiered here and is a resounding success.
March 19, 1882:
Scènes alsaciennes, the seventh suite for orchestra by Jules Massenet (39) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
August 11, 1883:
During the visit of about 40 leading French artists and scientists to Budapest, Jules Massenet (41) conducts his Scènes pittoresques and portions of Hérodiade. As he arrives at the podium for the latter, he finds instead a copy of Coppélia and has to conduct Hérodiade from memory. Later, when Léo Delibes (47) conducts Coppélia, he finds a copy of Hérodiade.
December 20, 1883:
Incidental music to Richepin’s play Nana-Sahib by Jules Massenet (41) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, Paris.
January 19, 1884:
Manon, an opéra comique by Jules Massenet (41) to words of Meilhac and Gille after Prévost, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris. The work elicits great enthusiasm.
December 26, 1884:
Incidental music to Sardou’s play Théodora by Jules Massenet (42) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, Paris.
November 30, 1885:
Le Cid, an opéra by Jules Massenet (43) to words of d’Ennery, Blau, and Gallet after Corneille, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. The work is a triumph, although the composer spends the evening down the street at a performance of Manon. Twelve members of the chorus leave after the third act because they feel the performance has lasted long enough.
December 21, 1886:
Incidental music to Sardou’s play Le crocodile by Jules Massenet (44) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, Paris.
January 27, 1887:
Biblis, a scène religieuse for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra by Jules Massenet (44) to words of Boyer is performed for the first time, in Paris the composer conducting.
July 25, 1887:
The Grand Prix de Rome is awarded to Gustave Charpentier (27), a pupil of Jules Massenet (45).
March 24, 1889:
Jules Massenet (46) meets Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (48) in Paris.
May 15, 1889:
Esclarmonde, an opéra romanesque by Jules Massenet (47) to words of Blau and de Gramant, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Lyrique, Paris, with President Cardot in attendance. The work is generally successful. Massenet dedicates the work to his new star, the American Sybil Sanderson.
March 16, 1891:
Le mage, an opéra by Jules Massenet (48) to words of Richepin, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. It is not very successful.
July 10, 1891:
Louise-Constance Massenet, wife of Jules Massenet (49) buys a house known as Le Vieux Manoir at Point-de-l’Arche, 20 km south of Rouen. The composer will summer here and compose.
February 16, 1892:
Werther, a drame lyrique by Jules Massenet (49) to words of Blau, Milliet, and Hartman after Goethe, is performed for the first time, at the Vienna Hofoper. This is a German translation by Kalbeck. See 27 December 1892.
February 21, 1892:
Le carillon, a légende mimée et dansée by Jules Massenet (49) to a story by van Dyck and de Roddaz, is performed for the first time, at the Burgtheater, Vienna.
December 27, 1892:
Werther, a drame lyrique by Jules Massenet (50) to words of Blau, Milliet, and Hartman after Goethe, is performed for the first time in French, at Geneva. See 16 February 1892.
March 16, 1894:
Thaïs, a comèdie lyrique by Jules Massenet (51) to words of Gallet after France, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. Some critics find it immoral, but it is a hit with the public.
May 8, 1894:
Le portrait de Manon, an opéra comique by Jules Massenet (51) to words of Boyer, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Lyrique, Paris. It is a moderate success.
June 20, 1894:
La Navarraise, an épisode lyrique by Jules Massenet (52) to words of Claretie and Cain, is performed for the first time, at Covent Garden, London. It is so successful, at the curtain, the audience begins standing and screaming for more. They call for the composer, but as is his custom, he refuses to appear before them.
December 31, 1895:
Jules Massenet (53) is raised to a Commander of the Legion of Honor.
November 27, 1897:
Sapho, a pièce lyrique by Jules Massenet (55) to words of Cain and Bernède after Daudet, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Lyrique, Paris. It is a resounding success.
May 14, 1898:
During a revival of Jules Massenet’s (56) La Navarraise at the Paris Opéra-Comique, when the Spanish soldiers enter carrying the Spanish flag, the crowd bursts into applause.
November 6, 1898:
Jules Massenet (56) conducts an all-Massenet program at the Concerts Colonne in the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris.
February 1, 1899:
Jules Massenet (56) purchases a chateau in Egreville, 30km south of Fontainebleau. It will come to be known as Chateau Massenet.
May 24, 1899:
Cendrillon, a conte de fées by Jules Massenet (57) to words of Cain after Perault, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris. It is an overwhelming success.
January 1, 1900:
Jules Massenet (57) is raised to the rank of Grand Officier of the Légion d’Honneur.
March 15, 1900:
The oratorio La terre promise, words from the Bible, music by Jules Massenet (57) is performed for the first time, at the Church of Saint-Eustache, Paris.
December 8, 1900:
Incidental music to Racine’s play Phèdre by Jules Massenet (58) is performed for the first time, at the Théatre de l’Odéon in Paris. The overture was first performed on 22 February 1874.
March 10, 1901:
Brumaire, ouverture pour le drame de Ed. Noël for orchestra by Jules Massenet (58) is performed for the first time, in Paris.
November 20, 1901:
The conte lyrique Griséldis, words by Silvestre and Morand, music by Jules Massenet (59), is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris. It is a financial success, but the critics are mixed.
December 9, 1901:
Jules Massenet’s (59) ballet Les Rosati, to a story by Mariquita, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris.
February 18, 1902:
Le jongleur de Notre-Dame, a miracle opera by Jules Massenet (59), to words of Léna after France, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra de Monte Carlo. Massenet receives continuous standing ovations. Prince Albert awards him with the Grand-Croix of the Order of St. Charles. The crowd roars “Vive le Prince! Vive Massenet!”
April 12, 1902:
Jules Massenet (59) views a rehearsal of the last two scenes of Claude Debussy’s (39) Pelléas et Mélisande. He leaves with almost no comment.
February 1, 1903:
A Piano Concerto by Jules Massenet (60) is performed for the first time, at the Paris Conservatoire.
February 9, 1903:
Marie-Magdeleine, a drame sacrée by Jules Massenet (60) to words of Gallet, is staged for the first time, in Nice. See 11 April 1873.
February 4, 1904:
The divertissement-ballet Cigale by Jules Massenet (61), to a scenario by Cain, is performed for the first time, at the Théâte Favart, Paris.
October 1, 1904:
Incidental music to Francmesnil’s (after Dickens) play Le grillon du foyer by Jules Massenet (62) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de l’Odéon, Paris.
February 14, 1905:
Chérubin, a comédie chantée by Jules Massenet (62) to words of de Croisset and Cain, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra de Monte Carlo. The audience is very enthusiastic, requiring constant encores.
October 31, 1906:
Ariane, an opéra by Jules Massenet (64) to words of Mendès, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. The critics are strongly divided.
December 27, 1906:
A setting of Psalm 47 for orchestra, chorus, and organ by Florent Schmitt (36) is performed for the first time, in Paris. Jules Massenet (64) and Gabriel Fauré (61) are in the audience. The work is a great success but Schmitt is so shy he can not be persuaded from his box to take a bow.
February 7, 1907:
Jules Massenet’s (64) drame musical Thérèse, to words of Claretie, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra de Monte Carlo. The composer and his wife intend to sit in the Prince’s Loge with Prince Albert but, according to his custom, he is too nervous to view the premier and spends the evening alone in the private salon.
April 12, 1907:
Prince Albert of Monaco is a guest at the Imperial Palace, Berlin. A luncheon today includes Camille Saint-Saëns (71), Jules Massenet (64), Edvard Grieg (63), and several other artistic personalities. Kaiser Wilhelm also attends.
April 13, 1907:
At the Imperial Palace, Berlin, Kaiser Wilhelm II has a long talk with Camille Saint-Saëns (71), Jules Massenet (64), and Xavier Leroux. He confers distinctions on Massenet and Leroux and gives his portrait to Saint-Saëns.
October 22, 1907:
Incidental music to Aicard’s play Le manteau du roi by Jules Massenet (65) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, Paris.
February 13, 1908:
Jules Massenet’s (65) ballet Espada, to a story by Maugars (pseud. of Baron Henri de Rothschild), is performed for the first time, at the Opéra, Monte Carlo.
February 2, 1909:
Incidental music to Drotzal’s play (after the brothers Grimm) Perce-Neige et les sept gnomes by Jules Massenet (66) is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Fémina, Paris.
May 5, 1909:
Bacchus, an opera by Jules Massenet (66) to words of Mendès, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. It is a dismal failure, receiving only six performances.
February 19, 1910:
Jules Massenet’s (67) comédie héroique Don Quichotte, to words of Cain after Le Lorrain, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra de Monte Carlo. The audience loves it, calling repeatedly for encores.
March 29, 1910:
The Oceanographic Museum at Monaco is formally inaugurated. During the ceremonies, Ouverture du fête op.133 for orchestra by Camille Saint-Saëns (74) and La Nef triomphale for chorus and orchestra by Jules Massenet (67) to words of Aicard are performed for the first time.
May 20, 1910:
A funeral in memory of Pauline Viardot takes place in the Church of Sainte-Clotilde, Paris. Among the attenders are Camille Saint-Saëns (74), Jules Massenet (68), and Gabriel Fauré (65). Fauré's Pie Jesu from the Requiem is part of the music performed. Her mortal remains are laid to rest in the family tomb in Cimitière de Montmartre.
October 2, 1911:
A new opera house is inaugurated in Helsinki with Jules Massenet’s (69) La Navarraise.
November 19, 1911:
The first chapter of Jules Massenet’s (69) Mes Souvenirs appears in L’Echo de Paris. Further installments will continue until July 1912.
December 10, 1911:
A “Gala Massenet”, an evening devoted to the works of Jules Massenet (69), takes place at the Paris Opéra.
February 17, 1912:
Jules Massenet’s (69) opéra tragique Roma to words of Cain after Parodi, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra de Monte Carlo. Critics and public respond warmly.
July 11, 1912:
The last installment of Jules Massenet’s (70) Mes Souvenirs appears in L’Echo de Paris.
August 9, 1912:
Traveling to the station in Egreville to take a train to Paris, Jules Massenet (70) passes by the local cemetery. He points and says, “Look over there, when I come back there is where I will remain.” (Massenet, 229)
August 12, 1912:
12:00 At a hospital in the Rue de la Chaise, Paris, a terminal cancer patient, Jules Massenet (70) receives morphine.
16:00 Telegrams are sent to Madame Massenet and other family members that the end is near.
August 13, 1912:
04:00 Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet dies at a hospital in the rue de la Chaise near Sèvres-Babylone, Paris, Republic of France, aged 70 years, three months, and one day. Since he abhorred the idea of dying in a hospital, the body is immediately removed to his home at 48 rue de Vaugirard, arriving there at 06:00 in an ambulance, complete with his nurse pretending to administer oxygen. At 14:00 his death is registered as having occurred at his home in the Sixth Arrondissement.
August 17, 1912:
A funeral in memory of Jules Massenet takes place in the little church of Saint-Martin, Egreville, Seine-et-Marne. His mortal remains are laid to rest in a little cemetery there. Only a small group is present, mostly family, and no music, as was his wish.
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).
November 28, 1912:
The seventh and penultimate volume of mélodies by Jules Massenet (†0) are published by Heugel.
April 25, 1913:
Panurge, a farce by Jules Massenet (†0) to words of Boukay and Spitzmüller after Rabelais, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Gaîté, Paris.
January 14, 1914:
Incidental music to Rivollet’s play Jérusalem by Jules Massenet (†1) is performed for the first time, in Monaco.
February 23, 1914:
Afternoon. A memorial bust of Jules Massenet (†1) is unveiled before the Monte Carlo Opéra by Prince Albert who makes a speech in honor of his friend.
February 23, 1914:
Evening. Cléopâtre, a drame passionel by Jules Massenet (†1) to words of Payen (pseud. of Liénard), is performed for the first time, at the Opéra de Monte Carlo.
May 19, 1914:
The eighth and last volume of mélodies by Jules Massenet (†1) are published by Heugel.
February 22, 1918:
Silvestre Revueltas (18) performs music of Tchaikovsky (†24) and Massenet (†5) at a mass on the campus of St. Edward’s College, Austin, Texas, which he is attending.
April 1, 1922:
Amadis, an opéra légendaire by Jules Massenet (†9) to words of Claretie, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra de Monte Carlo.
October 21, 1926:
A monument in honor of Jules Massenet (†14) is unveiled in the Jardin du Luxembourg, near Rue Guynemer, Paris.
February 2, 1937:
The Paris Opéra, restored after the fire of 1936, reopens with Jules Massenet’s (†24) Ariane.