Camille Saint-Saëns

Camille Saint-Saëns was a versatile French composer known for his contributions to a wide range of genres, from opera and symphonies to solo piano and chamber music. While not a pioneer, he revived forgotten dance forms and composed popular works such as Symphony No. 3 ("Organ") and The Carnival of The Animals. A child prodigy, he began composing at a very young age and showed exceptional talent in both music and academics. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of his children and marital struggles, he continued to create influential pieces like Danse macabre and Samson et Dalila.

Saint-Saëns' reputation fluctuated over the years, with his music being somewhat disregarded in France but celebrated in countries like England and the United States. He continued to compose and tour extensively, receiving acclaim abroad. In his later years, he found solace in his love for animals and solitude, passing away in Algeria in 1921.