HALEVI, JUDAII. A Jewish poet and scholar of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. See JUDAH HALtVY, alUvef„TACQUES FRANcOIS FRO :MENTAL ( 1799-1862). A celebrated French dra matic composer, born in Paris, of Jewish parentage. After a little preparatory study he entered the Solfege class of the Paris Conservatory in 1809. The following year he undertook the study of the pianoforte under Charles Lambert, and in 1811 of harmony under Berton. Five years in the study of counterpoint under Cherubini followed, after which in 1816 he won the Prix de Rome, with a cantata, Herminie. His time in Ttmly was devoted, principally to operatic composition, and after considerable diffi culty he succeeded in having the result of his labors, the opera L'ortisan, presented in Paris in 1827. The public, however, received it coldly, and refused the composer any recognition until, in 1834, his successful treatment of Herold's un finished opera, Ludovic, which he completed, won general commendation from critics and public alike. La Juive, produced in 1835, marked his first triumph, and was followed six months later by the equally successful L'Eclair. Guido et Ginevra (1838) met with but an indifferent re ception, a fate which pursued Les treize (1839) and Le Drapier (1840). With La reine de Chy
pre (1841) his first success was repeated. He held many important positions, beginning as a teacher at the Conservatory in 1827, and being ap pointed, at the same school, professor of theory in 1833, and of composition in 1840. He also served as accompanying pianist at the Theatre Italien (1827), and as chef du chant at the Grand Opera (1829). Among his pupils were Gou nod, Victor Masse, Bizet, Basin, and Henri Duver noy. As a composer, he suffered from Meyer beer's overshadowing popularity, although he is regarded as possessing a far greater depth of sentiment than his more successful confrere. Certain it is that he did not consult the public, and in consequence his music was frequently mis understood. His masterpiece is undoubtedly La Juive, which is deservedly recognized as a classic. He was elected permanent secretary of the Academie des Beaux-Arts in 1854. He died in Nice, but was buried in Paris. For his life, consult Leon Halevy, P. Halevy, sa vie, ses oeuvres (Paris, 1863), which contains a full account of all his numerous compositions,