Louise Héritte-Viardot facts for kids
Louise Pauline Marie Héritte-Viardot (born December 14, 1841 – died January 17, 1918) was a French musician. She was a gifted singer, pianist, conductor, and composer. Louise was born in Paris into a very musical family. Her mother was the famous singer Pauline Viardot, and her aunt was the legendary opera star Maria Malibran. Her brother, Paul Viardot, also became a well-known composer and conductor.
In 1863, Louise married Ernest Héritte, who worked for the French Embassy in Bern. Sadly, an illness ended her performing career. But with help from her friend, the famous pianist Clara Schumann, Louise found a new path. She became a singing teacher at the Hoch Conservatory in Germany. Louise Héritte-Viardot passed away in Heidelberg.
What Music Did She Create?
Louise Héritte-Viardot wrote many different kinds of music. Most of her pieces were for small groups of instruments (called chamber music) or for orchestras. She even wrote symphonies, which are large musical works for an orchestra. Sadly, many of her compositions have been lost over time.
Famous Musical Pieces
Here are some of the types of music Louise Héritte-Viardot composed:
- Songs: She wrote many songs, often setting poems to music. Examples include Arme kleine Liebe and Saphiren sind die Augen dein.
- Chamber Music: This is music for a small group of instruments. She wrote a Sonata for cello and piano and several Quartets for piano and strings. A quartet means four instruments playing together.
- Cantatas: These are pieces for singers (soloists or a chorus) and an orchestra. Some of her cantatas include Die Bajadere and Das Bacchusfest.
- Opera: She also wrote a comic opera called Lindoro in 1879. An opera is a play where the story is told mostly through singing.
Her Music Today
Even though some of her works are lost, many of Louise Héritte-Viardot's pieces have been recorded. You can find her Piano Quartets on CDs, allowing new generations to enjoy her beautiful music.
Her Musical Family Tree
Louise Héritte-Viardot came from a long line of talented musicians. This family tree shows how she was connected to other famous artists:
- Manuel García (1775–1832), singer, composer, impresario; married Joaquina Sitches (1780–1864)
- Manuel García Junior (1805–1906), singer, composer, singing teacher; married Cécile Maria "Eugénie" Mayer (1814–1880)
- Manuel García (1836–1885)
- Gustave García (1837–1925), baritone and singing teacher; married Emily Matilda Ann Martorell (1835–?)
- Alberto García (1875–1946), baritone
- Eugenie Harouel (1840–1924)
- Marie Crèpet (1842–1867)
- Maria Malibran (1808–1836), singer; married Francois Eugene Malibran (1781–1836) (no children); married Charles Auguste de Bériot (1802–1870), composer, violinist
- Charles-Wilfrid de Bériot (1833–1914), pianist, composer, professor at the École Niedermeyer
- Pauline Viardot (1821–1910), singer, composer; married Louis Viardot (1800–1883)
- Louise Héritte-Viardot (1841–1918), composer, pianist, singer
- Paul Viardot (1857–1941)
- Marianne Viardot (1854–1919), painter, briefly engaged to Gabriel Fauré; married Alphonse Duvernoy
- Claudie Viardot (1852–1914); married Georges Chamerot; had issue
- Manuel García Junior (1805–1906), singer, composer, singing teacher; married Cécile Maria "Eugénie" Mayer (1814–1880)
