ERLANGER, CAMILLE

ERLANGER, CAMILLE (1863–1919), composer. Born in Paris of an Alsatian family, Erlanger studied composition at the Paris Conservatoire with Delibes and Massenet, and received the Rome Prize in 1888 for his cantata Velléda. Erlanger wrote nine operas. His first opera, Kermaria, produced in 1897 by the Opéra-Comique, made little impression. However, his next attempt – Le Juif Polonais (1900), based on the story by Erckman-Chatrian – was very popular and remained in the operatic repertoire until 1933. His most popular opera was an opéra-comique – Aphorodite (1906), adapted from Pierre Louÿs' novel and performed over 180 times in 20 years. Erlanger was particularly influenced by Weber, whom he greatly admired, and to a much lesser extent by Wagner. Other operas of his are Bacchus triomphant (1909) and Hannele Mattern (1911). He also wrote the symphonic poem Maître et Serviteur, based on Tolstoy's story, which remained in manuscript; La Chasse fantastique (1893); Le fils de l'étoile (drame musical, 1904), and many songs. -ADD. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Grove online; C. Mendès, "Le Juif polonais," Le journal (April 11, 1900); A. Bachelet, "Camille Erlanger," in: Monde musical, v (1919). (Israela Stein (2nd ed.)